Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Southern Asia

Labor force participation rate in Southern Asia in 2025 — 54.18%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 1.97 pp.

2025 54.18% −0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 57.62%2000
Period minimum 51.41%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Southern Asia, 1990–2025505254565819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 56.15%1991: 56.15%1992: 56.12%1993: 56.08%1994: 56.09%1995: 56.19%1996: 56.51%1997: 56.84%1998: 57.12%1999: 57.37%2000: 57.62%2001: 57.52%2002: 57.41%2003: 57.32%2004: 57.23%2005: 57.09%2006: 56.32%2007: 55.63%2008: 54.89%2009: 54.35%2010: 53.76%2011: 53.16%2012: 52.76%2013: 52.62%2014: 52.4%2015: 52.43%2016: 52.29%2017: 52.35%2018: 52.17%2019: 52.1%2020: 51.41%2021: 52.31%2022: 53%2023: 53.71%2024: 54.19%2025: 54.18%
Change over the period: −1.97 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Asia 54.18%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Southern Asia, by year Southern Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 54.18 −0.01 pp
2024 54.19 +0.48 pp
2023 53.71 +0.71 pp
2022 53 +0.69 pp
2021 52.31 +0.89 pp
2020 51.41 −0.69 pp
2019 52.1 −0.07 pp
2018 52.17 −0.18 pp
2017 52.35 +0.07 pp
2016 52.29 −0.15 pp
2015 52.43 +0.03 pp
2014 52.4 −0.22 pp
2013 52.62 −0.14 pp
2012 52.76 −0.4 pp
2011 53.16 −0.6 pp
2010 53.76 −0.59 pp
2009 54.35 −0.54 pp
2008 54.89 −0.74 pp
2007 55.63 −0.7 pp
2006 56.32 −0.77 pp
2005 57.09 −0.14 pp
2004 57.23 −0.09 pp
2003 57.32 −0.09 pp
2002 57.41 −0.11 pp
2001 57.52 −0.1 pp
2000 57.62 +0.25 pp
1999 57.37 +0.25 pp
1998 57.12 +0.28 pp
1997 56.84 +0.34 pp
1996 56.51 +0.31 pp
1995 56.19 +0.11 pp
1994 56.09 +0.01 pp
1993 56.08 −0.04 pp
1992 56.12 −0.03 pp
1991 56.15 +0 pp
1990 56.15

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.