Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Western Asia

Labor force participation rate in Western Asia in 2025 — 51.54%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 2.43 pp.

2025 51.54% +0 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 54.09%1991
Period minimum 48.08%2007

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Western Asia, 1990–2025485052545619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 53.97%1991: 54.09%1992: 53.8%1993: 52.49%1994: 53.41%1995: 53.12%1996: 52.82%1997: 52.22%1998: 52.15%1999: 52.07%2000: 51.03%2001: 50.55%2002: 50.09%2003: 49.41%2004: 48.49%2005: 48.38%2006: 48.18%2007: 48.08%2008: 48.26%2009: 48.61%2010: 48.99%2011: 49.54%2012: 49.45%2013: 49.95%2014: 50.2%2015: 50.25%2016: 50.8%2017: 50.78%2018: 50.73%2019: 50.62%2020: 49.27%2021: 49.48%2022: 50.67%2023: 51.15%2024: 51.54%2025: 51.54%
Change over the period: −2.43 pp Annual average: -0.07 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Asia 51.54%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Western Asia, by year Western Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 51.54 +0 pp
2024 51.54 +0.39 pp
2023 51.15 +0.48 pp
2022 50.67 +1.19 pp
2021 49.48 +0.21 pp
2020 49.27 −1.35 pp
2019 50.62 −0.11 pp
2018 50.73 −0.04 pp
2017 50.78 −0.02 pp
2016 50.8 +0.55 pp
2015 50.25 +0.05 pp
2014 50.2 +0.25 pp
2013 49.95 +0.5 pp
2012 49.45 −0.09 pp
2011 49.54 +0.54 pp
2010 48.99 +0.39 pp
2009 48.61 +0.35 pp
2008 48.26 +0.18 pp
2007 48.08 −0.1 pp
2006 48.18 −0.19 pp
2005 48.38 −0.11 pp
2004 48.49 −0.92 pp
2003 49.41 −0.68 pp
2002 50.09 −0.46 pp
2001 50.55 −0.48 pp
2000 51.03 −1.04 pp
1999 52.07 −0.08 pp
1998 52.15 −0.07 pp
1997 52.22 −0.6 pp
1996 52.82 −0.31 pp
1995 53.12 −0.29 pp
1994 53.41 +0.93 pp
1993 52.49 −1.31 pp
1992 53.8 −0.29 pp
1991 54.09 +0.12 pp
1990 53.97

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.