Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — United Arab Emirates

Female labor force participation rate in the United Arab Emirates in 2025 — 53.03%. Ranked 93 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 23.71 pp.

2025 53.03% +0.51 pp vs 2024
World rank 93of 182
Period maximum 58.18%2020
Period minimum 29.32%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — United Arab Emirates, 1990–2025203040506019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 29.32%1991: 30.07%1992: 30.51%1993: 31.17%1994: 31.2%1995: 31.25%1996: 31.85%1997: 32.32%1998: 32.82%1999: 33.37%2000: 33.94%2001: 34.53%2002: 35.17%2003: 35.83%2004: 36.5%2005: 37.19%2006: 38.32%2007: 39.52%2008: 40.71%2009: 41.79%2010: 42.86%2011: 43.94%2012: 44.99%2013: 46.06%2014: 47.13%2015: 48.18%2016: 49.23%2017: 50.93%2018: 51.31%2019: 54.38%2020: 58.18%2021: 50.45%2022: 53.06%2023: 52.35%2024: 52.52%2025: 53.03%
Change over the period: +23.71 pp Annual average: 0.68 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates 53.03%
World 48.94%
Western Asia computed 28.37%
High-income countries computed 54.21%
Female labor force participation rate — United Arab Emirates, by year United Arab Emirates All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 53.03 +0.51 pp
2024 52.52 +0.17 pp
2023 52.35 −0.71 pp
2022 53.06 +2.61 pp
2021 50.45 −7.73 pp
2020 58.18 +3.8 pp
2019 54.38 +3.07 pp
2018 51.31 +0.39 pp
2017 50.93 +1.7 pp
2016 49.23 +1.05 pp
2015 48.18 +1.05 pp
2014 47.13 +1.07 pp
2013 46.06 +1.07 pp
2012 44.99 +1.05 pp
2011 43.94 +1.08 pp
2010 42.86 +1.07 pp
2009 41.79 +1.08 pp
2008 40.71 +1.19 pp
2007 39.52 +1.2 pp
2006 38.32 +1.14 pp
2005 37.19 +0.69 pp
2004 36.5 +0.66 pp
2003 35.83 +0.66 pp
2002 35.17 +0.64 pp
2001 34.53 +0.6 pp
2000 33.94 +0.57 pp
1999 33.37 +0.54 pp
1998 32.82 +0.51 pp
1997 32.32 +0.47 pp
1996 31.85 +0.59 pp
1995 31.25 +0.05 pp
1994 31.2 +0.03 pp
1993 31.17 +0.66 pp
1992 30.51 +0.44 pp
1991 30.07 +0.75 pp
1990 29.32

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.