Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — South America

Female share of the labor force in South America in 2025 — 42.92%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 6.69 pp.

2025 42.92% +0.03 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 43.04%2019
Period minimum 36.23%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — South America, 1990–2025363840424419901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 36.23%1991: 36.36%1992: 36.86%1993: 37.38%1994: 37.88%1995: 38.39%1996: 38.59%1997: 38.93%1998: 39.3%1999: 39.63%2000: 39.8%2001: 40.35%2002: 40.67%2003: 40.92%2004: 41.28%2005: 41.56%2006: 41.61%2007: 41.72%2008: 41.71%2009: 42.06%2010: 41.9%2011: 41.76%2012: 41.81%2013: 41.81%2014: 41.84%2015: 42.08%2016: 42.27%2017: 42.59%2018: 42.81%2019: 43.04%2020: 42.22%2021: 42.68%2022: 42.83%2023: 42.89%2024: 42.9%2025: 42.92%
Change over the period: +6.69 pp Annual average: 0.19 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South America

South America 42.92%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 42.92 +0.03 pp
2024 42.9 +0.01 pp
2023 42.89 +0.06 pp
2022 42.83 +0.15 pp
2021 42.68 +0.45 pp
2020 42.22 −0.82 pp
2019 43.04 +0.24 pp
2018 42.81 +0.21 pp
2017 42.59 +0.32 pp
2016 42.27 +0.2 pp
2015 42.08 +0.23 pp
2014 41.84 +0.03 pp
2013 41.81 +0 pp
2012 41.81 +0.05 pp
2011 41.76 −0.13 pp
2010 41.9 −0.16 pp
2009 42.06 +0.34 pp
2008 41.71 −0 pp
2007 41.72 +0.1 pp
2006 41.61 +0.06 pp
2005 41.56 +0.28 pp
2004 41.28 +0.36 pp
2003 40.92 +0.25 pp
2002 40.67 +0.32 pp
2001 40.35 +0.54 pp
2000 39.8 +0.18 pp
1999 39.63 +0.32 pp
1998 39.3 +0.38 pp
1997 38.93 +0.33 pp
1996 38.59 +0.2 pp
1995 38.39 +0.51 pp
1994 37.88 +0.5 pp
1993 37.38 +0.52 pp
1992 36.86 +0.5 pp
1991 36.36 +0.13 pp
1990 36.23

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.