Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Western Africa

Female share of the labor force in Western Africa in 2025 — 46.77%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 1.25 pp.

2025 46.77% −0.02 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 46.79%2024
Period minimum 45.52%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Western Africa, 1990–202545.54646.54719901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 45.52%1991: 45.58%1992: 45.64%1993: 45.67%1994: 45.77%1995: 45.77%1996: 45.76%1997: 45.81%1998: 45.81%1999: 45.87%2000: 45.95%2001: 45.98%2002: 46.07%2003: 46.07%2004: 46.09%2005: 46.09%2006: 46.15%2007: 46.21%2008: 46.24%2009: 46.23%2010: 46.27%2011: 46.18%2012: 46.18%2013: 46.09%2014: 46%2015: 45.98%2016: 45.89%2017: 45.9%2018: 45.82%2019: 45.77%2020: 45.66%2021: 45.82%2022: 45.83%2023: 46.74%2024: 46.79%2025: 46.77%
Change over the period: +1.25 pp Annual average: 0.04 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Africa 46.77%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Western Africa, by year Western Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 46.77 −0.02 pp
2024 46.79 +0.05 pp
2023 46.74 +0.91 pp
2022 45.83 +0.01 pp
2021 45.82 +0.16 pp
2020 45.66 −0.11 pp
2019 45.77 −0.05 pp
2018 45.82 −0.08 pp
2017 45.9 +0.01 pp
2016 45.89 −0.09 pp
2015 45.98 −0.02 pp
2014 46 −0.1 pp
2013 46.09 −0.09 pp
2012 46.18 −0 pp
2011 46.18 −0.09 pp
2010 46.27 +0.05 pp
2009 46.23 −0.02 pp
2008 46.24 +0.03 pp
2007 46.21 +0.06 pp
2006 46.15 +0.06 pp
2005 46.09 −0 pp
2004 46.09 +0.02 pp
2003 46.07 −0 pp
2002 46.07 +0.09 pp
2001 45.98 +0.03 pp
2000 45.95 +0.07 pp
1999 45.87 +0.07 pp
1998 45.81 +0 pp
1997 45.81 +0.04 pp
1996 45.76 −0.01 pp
1995 45.77 +0 pp
1994 45.77 +0.09 pp
1993 45.67 +0.04 pp
1992 45.64 +0.06 pp
1991 45.58 +0.05 pp
1990 45.52

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.