Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — North Korea

Female share of the labor force in North Korea in 2025 — 48.17%. Ranked 39 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 1.22 pp.

2025 48.17% −0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank 39of 182
Period maximum 49.46%1997
Period minimum 48.17%2025

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — North Korea, 1990–20254848.54949.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 49.39%1991: 49.36%1992: 49.37%1993: 49.38%1994: 49.37%1995: 49.39%1996: 49.4%1997: 49.46%1998: 49.45%1999: 49.35%2000: 49.32%2001: 49.26%2002: 49.22%2003: 49.18%2004: 49.14%2005: 49.08%2006: 49.08%2007: 49.08%2008: 49.02%2009: 48.99%2010: 48.95%2011: 48.89%2012: 48.82%2013: 48.74%2014: 48.66%2015: 48.61%2016: 48.5%2017: 48.49%2018: 48.5%2019: 48.46%2020: 48.43%2021: 48.45%2022: 48.3%2023: 48.26%2024: 48.21%2025: 48.17%
Change over the period: −1.22 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

North Korea 48.17%
World 40.18%
Eastern Asia computed 45.43%
Low-income countries computed 43.19%
Female share of the labor force — North Korea, by year North Korea All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 48.17 −0.04 pp
2024 48.21 −0.05 pp
2023 48.26 −0.04 pp
2022 48.3 −0.15 pp
2021 48.45 +0.01 pp
2020 48.43 −0.03 pp
2019 48.46 −0.04 pp
2018 48.5 +0.01 pp
2017 48.49 −0.01 pp
2016 48.5 −0.11 pp
2015 48.61 −0.05 pp
2014 48.66 −0.08 pp
2013 48.74 −0.08 pp
2012 48.82 −0.07 pp
2011 48.89 −0.06 pp
2010 48.95 −0.04 pp
2009 48.99 −0.02 pp
2008 49.02 −0.06 pp
2007 49.08 −0 pp
2006 49.08 −0 pp
2005 49.08 −0.06 pp
2004 49.14 −0.04 pp
2003 49.18 −0.04 pp
2002 49.22 −0.03 pp
2001 49.26 −0.07 pp
2000 49.32 −0.03 pp
1999 49.35 −0.1 pp
1998 49.45 −0.01 pp
1997 49.46 +0.06 pp
1996 49.4 +0.01 pp
1995 49.39 +0.02 pp
1994 49.37 −0.01 pp
1993 49.38 +0.01 pp
1992 49.37 +0.01 pp
1991 49.36 −0.03 pp
1990 49.39

Eastern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

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.