Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — BRICS

Female share of the labor force in BRICS in 2025 — 38.44%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 0.53 pp.

2025 38.44% −0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 39.12%2000
Period minimum 37.42%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — BRICS, 1990–20253737.53838.53939.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 38.97%1991: 38.86%1992: 38.84%1993: 38.77%1994: 38.77%1995: 38.83%1996: 38.86%1997: 38.87%1998: 38.96%1999: 39.05%2000: 39.12%2001: 39.06%2002: 39.05%2003: 39.04%2004: 39.01%2005: 39.01%2006: 38.78%2007: 38.65%2008: 38.39%2009: 38.16%2010: 37.87%2011: 37.71%2012: 37.57%2013: 37.48%2014: 37.46%2015: 37.48%2016: 37.52%2017: 37.6%2018: 37.65%2019: 37.69%2020: 37.42%2021: 37.85%2022: 38.06%2023: 38.3%2024: 38.47%2025: 38.44%
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: BRICS

BRICS 38.44%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — BRICS, by year BRICS All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 38.44 −0.04 pp
2024 38.47 +0.17 pp
2023 38.3 +0.24 pp
2022 38.06 +0.22 pp
2021 37.85 +0.42 pp
2020 37.42 −0.27 pp
2019 37.69 +0.04 pp
2018 37.65 +0.04 pp
2017 37.6 +0.08 pp
2016 37.52 +0.04 pp
2015 37.48 +0.02 pp
2014 37.46 −0.03 pp
2013 37.48 −0.08 pp
2012 37.57 −0.14 pp
2011 37.71 −0.16 pp
2010 37.87 −0.29 pp
2009 38.16 −0.22 pp
2008 38.39 −0.26 pp
2007 38.65 −0.13 pp
2006 38.78 −0.23 pp
2005 39.01 +0 pp
2004 39.01 −0.03 pp
2003 39.04 −0.01 pp
2002 39.05 −0.01 pp
2001 39.06 −0.06 pp
2000 39.12 +0.07 pp
1999 39.05 +0.1 pp
1998 38.96 +0.09 pp
1997 38.87 +0.02 pp
1996 38.86 +0.02 pp
1995 38.83 +0.06 pp
1994 38.77 −0 pp
1993 38.77 −0.07 pp
1992 38.84 −0.02 pp
1991 38.86 −0.11 pp
1990 38.97

About the indicator

The share of women in the total labor force. It differs from female labor force participation in measuring composition rather than reach: the first answers what part of those working are women, the second what part of women work. Fifty percent would mean complete equality of composition; in most countries it comes to between forty and forty-eight, and in the Gulf states and South Asia to less than twenty.

Important: A measure of composition, not of access: the share can rise because men are leaving the labor market. It is worth reading together with female labor force participation.

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