Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — South Asia

Female unemployment in South Asia in 2025 — 4.23%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 3.42 pp.

2025 4.23% +0.06 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 7.74%2013
Period minimum 4.1%2023

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — South Asia, 1991–20254567819911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 7.65%1992: 7.61%1993: 7.6%1994: 7.51%1995: 7.44%1996: 7.37%1997: 7.4%1998: 7.4%1999: 7.4%2000: 7.39%2001: 7.44%2002: 7.58%2003: 7.58%2004: 7.66%2005: 7.7%2006: 7.61%2007: 7.61%2008: 7.67%2009: 7.73%2010: 7.33%2011: 7.44%2012: 7.57%2013: 7.74%2014: 7.72%2015: 7.72%2016: 7.68%2017: 7.59%2018: 7.56%2019: 6.17%2020: 6.86%2021: 5.66%2022: 4.79%2023: 4.1%2024: 4.17%2025: 4.23%
Change over the period: −3.42 pp Annual average: -0.1 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

South Asia 4.23%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — South Asia, by year South Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 4.23 +0.06 pp
2024 4.17 +0.06 pp
2023 4.1 −0.68 pp
2022 4.79 −0.87 pp
2021 5.66 −1.2 pp
2020 6.86 +0.69 pp
2019 6.17 −1.39 pp
2018 7.56 −0.03 pp
2017 7.59 −0.09 pp
2016 7.68 −0.03 pp
2015 7.72 −0 pp
2014 7.72 −0.02 pp
2013 7.74 +0.17 pp
2012 7.57 +0.14 pp
2011 7.44 +0.11 pp
2010 7.33 −0.4 pp
2009 7.73 +0.05 pp
2008 7.67 +0.06 pp
2007 7.61 +0.01 pp
2006 7.61 −0.09 pp
2005 7.7 +0.04 pp
2004 7.66 +0.08 pp
2003 7.58 +0.01 pp
2002 7.58 +0.13 pp
2001 7.44 +0.06 pp
2000 7.39 −0.01 pp
1999 7.4 −0 pp
1998 7.4 +0.01 pp
1997 7.4 +0.02 pp
1996 7.37 −0.06 pp
1995 7.44 −0.07 pp
1994 7.51 −0.09 pp
1993 7.6 −0.01 pp
1992 7.61 −0.05 pp
1991 7.65

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.