Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — World

Female share of the labor force in the world in 2025 — 40.18%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 0.85 pp.

2025 40.18% −0.02 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 40.2%2024
Period minimum 39.33%1993

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — World, 1990–202539.2539.539.754040.2519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 39.33%1991: 39.35%1992: 39.36%1993: 39.33%1994: 39.43%1995: 39.49%1996: 39.54%1997: 39.59%1998: 39.65%1999: 39.73%2000: 39.78%2001: 39.79%2002: 39.8%2003: 39.84%2004: 39.83%2005: 39.88%2006: 39.81%2007: 39.79%2008: 39.7%2009: 39.69%2010: 39.6%2011: 39.54%2012: 39.47%2013: 39.44%2014: 39.44%2015: 39.47%2016: 39.5%2017: 39.54%2018: 39.57%2019: 39.63%2020: 39.46%2021: 39.74%2022: 39.84%2023: 40.12%2024: 40.2%2025: 40.18%
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: World

World 40.18%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — World, by year World All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 40.18 −0.02 pp
2024 40.2 +0.08 pp
2023 40.12 +0.28 pp
2022 39.84 +0.1 pp
2021 39.74 +0.28 pp
2020 39.46 −0.18 pp
2019 39.63 +0.07 pp
2018 39.57 +0.03 pp
2017 39.54 +0.04 pp
2016 39.5 +0.02 pp
2015 39.47 +0.03 pp
2014 39.44 −0 pp
2013 39.44 −0.02 pp
2012 39.47 −0.07 pp
2011 39.54 −0.06 pp
2010 39.6 −0.09 pp
2009 39.69 −0.01 pp
2008 39.7 −0.09 pp
2007 39.79 −0.01 pp
2006 39.81 −0.07 pp
2005 39.88 +0.05 pp
2004 39.83 −0.01 pp
2003 39.84 +0.03 pp
2002 39.8 +0.02 pp
2001 39.79 +0.01 pp
2000 39.78 +0.05 pp
1999 39.73 +0.07 pp
1998 39.65 +0.06 pp
1997 39.59 +0.05 pp
1996 39.54 +0.05 pp
1995 39.49 +0.06 pp
1994 39.43 +0.1 pp
1993 39.33 −0.03 pp
1992 39.36 +0.02 pp
1991 39.35 +0.01 pp
1990 39.33

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.