Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Western Africa

Female labor force participation rate in Western Africa in 2025 — 69.24%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 1.64 pp.

2025 69.24% −0.07 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 69.31%2002
Period minimum 65.78%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Western Africa, 1990–202565666768697019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 67.6%1991: 67.98%1992: 68.39%1993: 68.64%1994: 69.05%1995: 69.13%1996: 69.05%1997: 69.09%1998: 69.05%1999: 69.18%2000: 69.23%2001: 69.23%2002: 69.31%2003: 69.22%2004: 69.21%2005: 69.1%2006: 69.11%2007: 69.11%2008: 69.07%2009: 69.01%2010: 68.97%2011: 68.76%2012: 68.65%2013: 68.32%2014: 67.93%2015: 67.8%2016: 67.72%2017: 67.42%2018: 67.19%2019: 67%2020: 65.78%2021: 66.65%2022: 67.35%2023: 69.27%2024: 69.3%2025: 69.24%
Change over the period: +1.64 pp Annual average: 0.05 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Western Africa

Western Africa 69.24%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Western Africa, by year Western Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 69.24 −0.07 pp
2024 69.3 +0.04 pp
2023 69.27 +1.92 pp
2022 67.35 +0.7 pp
2021 66.65 +0.87 pp
2020 65.78 −1.22 pp
2019 67 −0.18 pp
2018 67.19 −0.23 pp
2017 67.42 −0.3 pp
2016 67.72 −0.08 pp
2015 67.8 −0.14 pp
2014 67.93 −0.39 pp
2013 68.32 −0.33 pp
2012 68.65 −0.11 pp
2011 68.76 −0.21 pp
2010 68.97 −0.03 pp
2009 69.01 −0.06 pp
2008 69.07 −0.05 pp
2007 69.11 +0.01 pp
2006 69.11 +0 pp
2005 69.1 −0.11 pp
2004 69.21 −0.01 pp
2003 69.22 −0.09 pp
2002 69.31 +0.08 pp
2001 69.23 +0 pp
2000 69.23 +0.05 pp
1999 69.18 +0.12 pp
1998 69.05 −0.03 pp
1997 69.09 +0.04 pp
1996 69.05 −0.09 pp
1995 69.13 +0.09 pp
1994 69.05 +0.4 pp
1993 68.64 +0.25 pp
1992 68.39 +0.41 pp
1991 67.98 +0.38 pp
1990 67.6

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.