Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Western Asia

Female share of the labor force in Western Asia in 2025 — 26.18%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 1.57 pp.

2025 26.18% −0 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 27.75%1990
Period minimum 24.02%2008

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Western Asia, 1990–2025242526272819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 27.75%1991: 27.69%1992: 27.46%1993: 26.04%1994: 27.3%1995: 27.34%1996: 27.12%1997: 26.57%1998: 26.62%1999: 27.12%2000: 26.36%2001: 26.37%2002: 26.52%2003: 26.06%2004: 24.89%2005: 24.6%2006: 24.48%2007: 24.09%2008: 24.02%2009: 24.29%2010: 24.68%2011: 24.81%2012: 24.82%2013: 24.84%2014: 24.67%2015: 25.08%2016: 25.26%2017: 25.07%2018: 25.4%2019: 25.71%2020: 25.59%2021: 26.06%2022: 26.24%2023: 26.2%2024: 26.18%2025: 26.18%
Change over the period: −1.57 pp Annual average: -0.04 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Asia 26.18%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Western Asia, by year Western Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 26.18 −0 pp
2024 26.18 −0.02 pp
2023 26.2 −0.03 pp
2022 26.24 +0.18 pp
2021 26.06 +0.47 pp
2020 25.59 −0.12 pp
2019 25.71 +0.31 pp
2018 25.4 +0.34 pp
2017 25.07 −0.2 pp
2016 25.26 +0.19 pp
2015 25.08 +0.41 pp
2014 24.67 −0.17 pp
2013 24.84 +0.02 pp
2012 24.82 +0.01 pp
2011 24.81 +0.13 pp
2010 24.68 +0.39 pp
2009 24.29 +0.28 pp
2008 24.02 −0.07 pp
2007 24.09 −0.39 pp
2006 24.48 −0.12 pp
2005 24.6 −0.29 pp
2004 24.89 −1.16 pp
2003 26.06 −0.46 pp
2002 26.52 +0.15 pp
2001 26.37 +0.01 pp
2000 26.36 −0.77 pp
1999 27.12 +0.5 pp
1998 26.62 +0.05 pp
1997 26.57 −0.56 pp
1996 27.12 −0.22 pp
1995 27.34 +0.04 pp
1994 27.3 +1.26 pp
1993 26.04 −1.42 pp
1992 27.46 −0.23 pp
1991 27.69 −0.06 pp
1990 27.75

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.