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Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Afghanistan

Female unemployment in Afghanistan in 2025 — 25%. Ranked 173 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 14.53 pp.

2025 25% −1.09 pp vs 2024
World rank 173of 182
Period maximum 26.74%2022
Period minimum 10.3%2010

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Afghanistan, 1991–2025101520253019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 10.47%1992: 10.46%1993: 10.4%1994: 10.38%1995: 10.37%1996: 10.39%1997: 10.38%1998: 10.39%1999: 10.41%2000: 10.44%2001: 10.53%2002: 10.41%2003: 10.39%2004: 10.33%2005: 10.42%2006: 10.44%2007: 10.37%2008: 10.4%2009: 10.31%2010: 10.3%2011: 10.31%2012: 10.35%2013: 10.36%2014: 10.32%2015: 11.59%2016: 12.82%2017: 14.02%2018: 14.79%2019: 15.57%2020: 16.78%2021: 16.95%2022: 26.74%2023: 26.6%2024: 26.08%2025: 25%
Change over the period: +14.53 pp Annual average: 0.43 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Afghanistan 25%
World 4.94%
South Asia 4.23%
Southern Asia computed 5.13%
Low-income countries computed 6.57%
Female unemployment — Afghanistan, by year Afghanistan All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 25 −1.09 pp
2024 26.08 −0.52 pp
2023 26.6 −0.15 pp
2022 26.74 +9.8 pp
2021 16.95 +0.17 pp
2020 16.78 +1.21 pp
2019 15.57 +0.78 pp
2018 14.79 +0.77 pp
2017 14.02 +1.2 pp
2016 12.82 +1.23 pp
2015 11.59 +1.27 pp
2014 10.32 −0.04 pp
2013 10.36 +0.02 pp
2012 10.35 +0.04 pp
2011 10.31 +0.01 pp
2010 10.3 −0.01 pp
2009 10.31 −0.09 pp
2008 10.4 +0.03 pp
2007 10.37 −0.07 pp
2006 10.44 +0.02 pp
2005 10.42 +0.09 pp
2004 10.33 −0.06 pp
2003 10.39 −0.03 pp
2002 10.41 −0.12 pp
2001 10.53 +0.09 pp
2000 10.44 +0.03 pp
1999 10.41 +0.02 pp
1998 10.39 +0.02 pp
1997 10.38 −0.01 pp
1996 10.39 +0.02 pp
1995 10.37 −0.01 pp
1994 10.38 −0.02 pp
1993 10.4 −0.05 pp
1992 10.46 −0.01 pp
1991 10.47 —

Southern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

BD Bangladesh 3.67 MV Maldives 4.08 BT Bhutan 4.09 IN India 4.14 LK Sri Lanka 6.48 PK Pakistan 6.94 NP Nepal 11.82 IR Iran 15.59 AF Afghanistan 25
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for Afghanistan

Labor Male unemployment

The share of men in the labor force who have no job and are looking for one.

Afghanistan by year Labor Unemployment rate

The share of the labor force that is looking for work and available to start.

Afghanistan by year Labor Female labor force participation rate

The share of women aged 15 and over who work or look for work — the main indicator of access to employment.

Afghanistan by year Labor Female share of the labor force

What part of the labor force of a country is made up of women.

Afghanistan by year
All indicators for Afghanistan