Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Western Asia

Female labor force participation rate in Western Asia in 2025 — 28.37%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 0.53 pp.

2025 28.37% +0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 28.92%1991
Period minimum 23.29%2007

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Western Asia, 1990–2025222426283019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 28.9%1991: 28.92%1992: 28.56%1993: 26.45%1994: 28.23%1995: 28.16%1996: 27.8%1997: 26.96%1998: 27.01%1999: 27.53%2000: 26.26%2001: 26.04%2002: 25.98%2003: 25.28%2004: 23.82%2005: 23.59%2006: 23.51%2007: 23.29%2008: 23.42%2009: 23.9%2010: 24.48%2011: 25%2012: 25.09%2013: 25.46%2014: 25.54%2015: 26.19%2016: 26.82%2017: 26.47%2018: 26.78%2019: 27.08%2020: 26.4%2021: 26.95%2022: 27.83%2023: 28.11%2024: 28.33%2025: 28.37%
Change over the period: −0.53 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Asia 28.37%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Western Asia, by year Western Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 28.37 +0.04 pp
2024 28.33 +0.22 pp
2023 28.11 +0.29 pp
2022 27.83 +0.88 pp
2021 26.95 +0.54 pp
2020 26.4 −0.68 pp
2019 27.08 +0.3 pp
2018 26.78 +0.32 pp
2017 26.47 −0.35 pp
2016 26.82 +0.62 pp
2015 26.19 +0.66 pp
2014 25.54 +0.08 pp
2013 25.46 +0.37 pp
2012 25.09 +0.09 pp
2011 25 +0.51 pp
2010 24.48 +0.58 pp
2009 23.9 +0.47 pp
2008 23.42 +0.13 pp
2007 23.29 −0.22 pp
2006 23.51 −0.07 pp
2005 23.59 −0.23 pp
2004 23.82 −1.46 pp
2003 25.28 −0.71 pp
2002 25.98 −0.06 pp
2001 26.04 −0.22 pp
2000 26.26 −1.27 pp
1999 27.53 +0.52 pp
1998 27.01 +0.05 pp
1997 26.96 −0.84 pp
1996 27.8 −0.36 pp
1995 28.16 −0.07 pp
1994 28.23 +1.78 pp
1993 26.45 −2.11 pp
1992 28.56 −0.36 pp
1991 28.92 +0.02 pp
1990 28.9

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.