Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa

Labor force participation rate in Middle East & North Africa in 2025 — 47.39%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 0.89 pp.

2025 47.39% −0.06 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 48.38%2016
Period minimum 46.4%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa, 1990–20254646.54747.54848.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 48.28%1991: 48.33%1992: 48.35%1993: 48.27%1994: 48.3%1995: 47.8%1996: 47.84%1997: 47.97%1998: 47.78%1999: 48.08%2000: 47.97%2001: 47.69%2002: 47.33%2003: 47.51%2004: 47.74%2005: 47.84%2006: 47.77%2007: 47.83%2008: 47.52%2009: 47.83%2010: 48.14%2011: 47.84%2012: 48.03%2013: 48.14%2014: 48.05%2015: 48.27%2016: 48.38%2017: 48.02%2018: 47.61%2019: 47.54%2020: 46.4%2021: 46.83%2022: 46.99%2023: 47.5%2024: 47.45%2025: 47.39%
Change over the period: −0.89 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Middle East & North Africa

Middle East & North Africa 47.39%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa, by year Middle East & North Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 47.39 −0.06 pp
2024 47.45 −0.05 pp
2023 47.5 +0.51 pp
2022 46.99 +0.17 pp
2021 46.83 +0.43 pp
2020 46.4 −1.14 pp
2019 47.54 −0.07 pp
2018 47.61 −0.41 pp
2017 48.02 −0.36 pp
2016 48.38 +0.11 pp
2015 48.27 +0.23 pp
2014 48.05 −0.09 pp
2013 48.14 +0.11 pp
2012 48.03 +0.19 pp
2011 47.84 −0.3 pp
2010 48.14 +0.31 pp
2009 47.83 +0.31 pp
2008 47.52 −0.32 pp
2007 47.83 +0.07 pp
2006 47.77 −0.08 pp
2005 47.84 +0.11 pp
2004 47.74 +0.22 pp
2003 47.51 +0.18 pp
2002 47.33 −0.36 pp
2001 47.69 −0.29 pp
2000 47.97 −0.11 pp
1999 48.08 +0.31 pp
1998 47.78 −0.19 pp
1997 47.97 +0.13 pp
1996 47.84 +0.04 pp
1995 47.8 −0.5 pp
1994 48.3 +0.04 pp
1993 48.27 −0.09 pp
1992 48.35 +0.02 pp
1991 48.33 +0.05 pp
1990 48.28

About the indicator

The share of the population aged 15 and over that belongs to the labor force. It shows how fully a country uses its labor potential. The decline in advanced countries comes from an aging population and longer years of schooling, while low values in developing ones usually come from limited participation by women.

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