Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Lower-middle-income countries

Female share of the labor force in lower-middle-income countries in 2025 — 33.81%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 2.93 pp.

2025 33.81% +0.03 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 33.81%2025
Period minimum 30.88%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Lower-middle-income countries, 1990–2025303132333419901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 30.88%1991: 31.04%1992: 31.11%1993: 31.22%1994: 31.36%1995: 31.45%1996: 31.64%1997: 31.84%1998: 32.06%1999: 32.22%2000: 32.41%2001: 32.54%2002: 32.61%2003: 32.73%2004: 32.84%2005: 33.01%2006: 32.81%2007: 32.67%2008: 32.43%2009: 32.36%2010: 32.2%2011: 32%2012: 31.83%2013: 31.8%2014: 31.87%2015: 31.96%2016: 32%2017: 32.06%2018: 32.05%2019: 32.12%2020: 31.96%2021: 32.56%2022: 32.91%2023: 33.48%2024: 33.77%2025: 33.81%
Change over the period: +2.93 pp Annual average: 0.08 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Lower-middle-income countries

Lower-middle-income countries 33.81%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Lower-middle-income countries, by year Lower-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 33.81 +0.03 pp
2024 33.77 +0.3 pp
2023 33.48 +0.56 pp
2022 32.91 +0.35 pp
2021 32.56 +0.6 pp
2020 31.96 −0.16 pp
2019 32.12 +0.07 pp
2018 32.05 −0 pp
2017 32.06 +0.06 pp
2016 32 +0.04 pp
2015 31.96 +0.1 pp
2014 31.87 +0.07 pp
2013 31.8 −0.02 pp
2012 31.83 −0.18 pp
2011 32 −0.2 pp
2010 32.2 −0.15 pp
2009 32.36 −0.08 pp
2008 32.43 −0.24 pp
2007 32.67 −0.14 pp
2006 32.81 −0.2 pp
2005 33.01 +0.17 pp
2004 32.84 +0.11 pp
2003 32.73 +0.12 pp
2002 32.61 +0.07 pp
2001 32.54 +0.13 pp
2000 32.41 +0.18 pp
1999 32.22 +0.16 pp
1998 32.06 +0.23 pp
1997 31.84 +0.19 pp
1996 31.64 +0.2 pp
1995 31.45 +0.08 pp
1994 31.36 +0.14 pp
1993 31.22 +0.1 pp
1992 31.11 +0.07 pp
1991 31.04 +0.16 pp
1990 30.88

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.