Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female share of the labor force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2025 — 48.88%. Ranked 21 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 1.99 pp.

2025 48.88% +0.05 pp vs 2024
World rank 21of 182
Period maximum 50.86%1990
Period minimum 48.1%2012

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1990–20254849505119901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 50.86%1991: 50.8%1992: 50.74%1993: 50.7%1994: 50.82%1995: 50.84%1996: 50.55%1997: 50.27%1998: 50.2%1999: 50.25%2000: 50.25%2001: 50.22%2002: 50.18%2003: 50.14%2004: 50.1%2005: 50.08%2006: 49.83%2007: 49.58%2008: 49.31%2009: 49.03%2010: 48.73%2011: 48.42%2012: 48.1%2013: 48.11%2014: 48.12%2015: 48.12%2016: 48.17%2017: 48.22%2018: 48.23%2019: 48.21%2020: 48.24%2021: 48.29%2022: 48.49%2023: 48.7%2024: 48.82%2025: 48.88%
Change over the period: −1.99 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo 48.88%
World 40.18%
Middle Africa computed 47.32%
Low-income countries computed 43.19%
Female share of the labor force — Democratic Republic of the Congo, by year Democratic Republic of the Congo All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 48.88 +0.05 pp
2024 48.82 +0.12 pp
2023 48.7 +0.21 pp
2022 48.49 +0.2 pp
2021 48.29 +0.04 pp
2020 48.24 +0.03 pp
2019 48.21 −0.02 pp
2018 48.23 +0 pp
2017 48.22 +0.06 pp
2016 48.17 +0.05 pp
2015 48.12 +0.01 pp
2014 48.12 +0.01 pp
2013 48.11 +0.01 pp
2012 48.1 −0.32 pp
2011 48.42 −0.31 pp
2010 48.73 −0.29 pp
2009 49.03 −0.28 pp
2008 49.31 −0.27 pp
2007 49.58 −0.26 pp
2006 49.83 −0.24 pp
2005 50.08 −0.03 pp
2004 50.1 −0.04 pp
2003 50.14 −0.04 pp
2002 50.18 −0.03 pp
2001 50.22 −0.03 pp
2000 50.25 −0 pp
1999 50.25 +0.05 pp
1998 50.2 −0.07 pp
1997 50.27 −0.28 pp
1996 50.55 −0.28 pp
1995 50.84 +0.01 pp
1994 50.82 +0.12 pp
1993 50.7 −0.04 pp
1992 50.74 −0.06 pp
1991 50.8 −0.06 pp
1990 50.86

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.