Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — World

Female labor force participation rate in the world in 2025 — 48.94%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 2.24 pp.

2025 48.94% −0.14 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 51.18%1990
Period minimum 46.98%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — World, 1990–20254648505219901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 51.18%1991: 51.13%1992: 51.05%1993: 50.82%1994: 50.91%1995: 50.88%1996: 50.85%1997: 50.87%1998: 50.87%1999: 51%2000: 50.96%2001: 50.82%2002: 50.71%2003: 50.66%2004: 50.6%2005: 50.61%2006: 50.35%2007: 50.22%2008: 49.91%2009: 49.69%2010: 49.35%2011: 49.15%2012: 48.9%2013: 48.75%2014: 48.59%2015: 48.55%2016: 48.46%2017: 48.37%2018: 48.3%2019: 48.28%2020: 46.98%2021: 47.89%2022: 48.32%2023: 49.03%2024: 49.08%2025: 48.94%
Change over the period: −2.24 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

World 48.94%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — World, by year World All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 48.94 −0.14 pp
2024 49.08 +0.05 pp
2023 49.03 +0.71 pp
2022 48.32 +0.42 pp
2021 47.89 +0.91 pp
2020 46.98 −1.3 pp
2019 48.28 −0.02 pp
2018 48.3 −0.07 pp
2017 48.37 −0.09 pp
2016 48.46 −0.08 pp
2015 48.55 −0.05 pp
2014 48.59 −0.15 pp
2013 48.75 −0.15 pp
2012 48.9 −0.26 pp
2011 49.15 −0.2 pp
2010 49.35 −0.34 pp
2009 49.69 −0.22 pp
2008 49.91 −0.31 pp
2007 50.22 −0.14 pp
2006 50.35 −0.25 pp
2005 50.61 +0.01 pp
2004 50.6 −0.06 pp
2003 50.66 −0.05 pp
2002 50.71 −0.11 pp
2001 50.82 −0.14 pp
2000 50.96 −0.03 pp
1999 51 +0.12 pp
1998 50.87 +0.01 pp
1997 50.87 +0.02 pp
1996 50.85 −0.03 pp
1995 50.88 −0.02 pp
1994 50.91 +0.08 pp
1993 50.82 −0.23 pp
1992 51.05 −0.08 pp
1991 51.13 −0.04 pp
1990 51.18

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.