Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Northern Africa

Female share of the labor force in Northern Africa in 2025 — 21.32%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 0.25 pp.

2025 21.32% −0.02 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 24.17%2015
Period minimum 19.8%2022

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Northern Africa, 1990–2025182022242619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 21.57%1991: 21.71%1992: 22.1%1993: 21.79%1994: 22.2%1995: 21.91%1996: 22.02%1997: 21.86%1998: 21.79%1999: 21.89%2000: 22.16%2001: 22.51%2002: 21.9%2003: 22.15%2004: 22.41%2005: 22.68%2006: 22.99%2007: 23.8%2008: 23.37%2009: 23.91%2010: 23.84%2011: 23.81%2012: 23.73%2013: 23.99%2014: 24.16%2015: 24.17%2016: 24.15%2017: 23.93%2018: 22.31%2019: 21.09%2020: 20.29%2021: 20.33%2022: 19.8%2023: 21.27%2024: 21.34%2025: 21.32%
Change over the period: −0.25 pp Annual average: -0.01 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Northern Africa

Northern Africa 21.32%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Northern Africa, by year Northern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 21.32 −0.02 pp
2024 21.34 +0.07 pp
2023 21.27 +1.48 pp
2022 19.8 −0.53 pp
2021 20.33 +0.04 pp
2020 20.29 −0.8 pp
2019 21.09 −1.22 pp
2018 22.31 −1.62 pp
2017 23.93 −0.22 pp
2016 24.15 −0.02 pp
2015 24.17 +0.01 pp
2014 24.16 +0.17 pp
2013 23.99 +0.26 pp
2012 23.73 −0.08 pp
2011 23.81 −0.04 pp
2010 23.84 −0.07 pp
2009 23.91 +0.54 pp
2008 23.37 −0.43 pp
2007 23.8 +0.82 pp
2006 22.99 +0.3 pp
2005 22.68 +0.27 pp
2004 22.41 +0.26 pp
2003 22.15 +0.25 pp
2002 21.9 −0.61 pp
2001 22.51 +0.35 pp
2000 22.16 +0.27 pp
1999 21.89 +0.1 pp
1998 21.79 −0.07 pp
1997 21.86 −0.16 pp
1996 22.02 +0.11 pp
1995 21.91 −0.29 pp
1994 22.2 +0.41 pp
1993 21.79 −0.31 pp
1992 22.1 +0.39 pp
1991 21.71 +0.14 pp
1990 21.57

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.