Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Sub-Saharan Africa

Female share of the labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025 — 46.89%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 0.85 pp.

2025 46.89% −0 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 46.91%2006
Period minimum 45.85%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–202545.54646.54719901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 46.04%1991: 46.1%1992: 46.19%1993: 46.18%1994: 46.3%1995: 46.49%1996: 46.59%1997: 46.66%1998: 46.67%1999: 46.72%2000: 46.77%2001: 46.8%2002: 46.86%2003: 46.88%2004: 46.9%2005: 46.91%2006: 46.91%2007: 46.9%2008: 46.86%2009: 46.82%2010: 46.8%2011: 46.78%2012: 46.64%2013: 46.68%2014: 46.56%2015: 46.46%2016: 46.35%2017: 46.26%2018: 46.13%2019: 46%2020: 45.85%2021: 45.88%2022: 45.88%2023: 46.87%2024: 46.89%2025: 46.89%
Change over the period: +0.85 pp Annual average: 0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa 46.89%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Sub-Saharan Africa, by year Sub-Saharan Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 46.89 −0 pp
2024 46.89 +0.02 pp
2023 46.87 +0.98 pp
2022 45.88 +0.01 pp
2021 45.88 +0.02 pp
2020 45.85 −0.15 pp
2019 46 −0.13 pp
2018 46.13 −0.13 pp
2017 46.26 −0.08 pp
2016 46.35 −0.12 pp
2015 46.46 −0.1 pp
2014 46.56 −0.11 pp
2013 46.68 +0.03 pp
2012 46.64 −0.14 pp
2011 46.78 −0.02 pp
2010 46.8 −0.02 pp
2009 46.82 −0.04 pp
2008 46.86 −0.04 pp
2007 46.9 −0.01 pp
2006 46.91 +0 pp
2005 46.91 +0.01 pp
2004 46.9 +0.02 pp
2003 46.88 +0.02 pp
2002 46.86 +0.06 pp
2001 46.8 +0.03 pp
2000 46.77 +0.05 pp
1999 46.72 +0.06 pp
1998 46.67 +0.01 pp
1997 46.66 +0.07 pp
1996 46.59 +0.1 pp
1995 46.49 +0.18 pp
1994 46.3 +0.12 pp
1993 46.18 −0 pp
1992 46.19 +0.09 pp
1991 46.1 +0.06 pp
1990 46.04

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.