Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa

Labor force participation rate in Eastern Africa in 2025 — 71.67%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 4.97 pp.

2025 71.67% −0.03 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 77%1995
Period minimum 71.21%2021

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa, 1990–2025707274767819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 76.64%1991: 76.71%1992: 76.81%1993: 76.79%1994: 76.88%1995: 77%1996: 76.92%1997: 76.84%1998: 76.81%1999: 76.8%2000: 76.81%2001: 76.81%2002: 76.87%2003: 76.92%2004: 76.9%2005: 76.89%2006: 76.81%2007: 76.64%2008: 76.46%2009: 76.28%2010: 76.09%2011: 76.58%2012: 75.44%2013: 76.62%2014: 75.31%2015: 74.63%2016: 73.96%2017: 72.99%2018: 72.57%2019: 72.07%2020: 71.53%2021: 71.21%2022: 71.49%2023: 71.77%2024: 71.7%2025: 71.67%
Change over the period: −4.97 pp Annual average: -0.14 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Eastern Africa 71.67%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa, by year Eastern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 71.67 −0.03 pp
2024 71.7 −0.07 pp
2023 71.77 +0.28 pp
2022 71.49 +0.28 pp
2021 71.21 −0.33 pp
2020 71.53 −0.54 pp
2019 72.07 −0.5 pp
2018 72.57 −0.42 pp
2017 72.99 −0.97 pp
2016 73.96 −0.68 pp
2015 74.63 −0.68 pp
2014 75.31 −1.31 pp
2013 76.62 +1.18 pp
2012 75.44 −1.13 pp
2011 76.58 +0.48 pp
2010 76.09 −0.19 pp
2009 76.28 −0.18 pp
2008 76.46 −0.18 pp
2007 76.64 −0.17 pp
2006 76.81 −0.08 pp
2005 76.89 −0.01 pp
2004 76.9 −0.02 pp
2003 76.92 +0.06 pp
2002 76.87 +0.06 pp
2001 76.81 −0 pp
2000 76.81 +0.01 pp
1999 76.8 −0.01 pp
1998 76.81 −0.02 pp
1997 76.84 −0.08 pp
1996 76.92 −0.08 pp
1995 77 +0.12 pp
1994 76.88 +0.09 pp
1993 76.79 −0.02 pp
1992 76.81 +0.1 pp
1991 76.71 +0.07 pp
1990 76.64

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.