Female Labor Force Participation Rate 2014
Female labor force participation rate measures the active engagement of women in the workforce, indicating economic inclusivity.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Korea | 86.112 % | |
2 | Madagascar | 84.799 % | |
3 | Iceland | 84.549 % | |
4 | Solomon Islands | 84.296 % | |
5 | Burundi | 81.662 % | |
6 | Tanzania | 81.571 % | |
7 | Mozambique | 79.531 % | |
8 | Sweden | 79.306 % | |
9 | Bahamas | 78.667 % | |
10 | Vietnam | 78.296 % | |
11 | Switzerland | 78.054 % | |
12 | Cambodia | 77.991 % | |
13 | Norway | 77.23 % | |
14 | Nigeria | 77.229 % | |
15 | Netherlands | 76.724 % | |
16 | Eritrea | 76.56 % | |
17 | Uganda | 76.547 % | |
18 | Burkina Faso | 75.629 % | |
19 | Angola | 75.248 % | |
20 | Barbados | 74.976 % | |
21 | Ethiopia | 74.396 % | |
22 | Canada | 74.358 % | |
23 | New Zealand | 73.686 % | |
24 | Finland | 73.675 % | |
25 | Belarus | 73.664 % | |
26 | South Sudan | 73.542 % | |
27 | Kazakhstan | 73.418 % | |
28 | Denmark | 73.361 % | |
29 | Liberia | 73.277 % | |
30 | Peru | 73.084 % | |
31 | Germany | 72.891 % | |
32 | Benin | 72.723 % | |
33 | China, Macao SAR | 72.53 % | |
34 | Kenya | 71.714 % | |
35 | Lithuania | 71.602 % | |
36 | Republic of Moldova | 71.494 % | |
37 | Latvia | 71.473 % | |
38 | Estonia | 71.47 % | |
39 | United Kingdom | 70.997 % | |
40 | Austria | 70.898 % | |
41 | Australia | 70.545 % | |
42 | Portugal | 69.995 % | |
43 | Saint Lucia | 69.992 % | |
44 | China | 69.799 % | |
45 | Israel | 69.531 % | |
46 | Uruguay | 69.382 % | |
47 | Cyprus | 69.366 % | |
48 | Spain | 68.719 % | |
49 | Russia | 68.353 % | |
50 | Thailand | 68.111 % | |
51 | Ghana | 67.779 % | |
52 | Cameroon | 67.691 % | |
53 | Congo | 67.588 % | |
54 | Slovenia | 67.517 % | |
55 | France | 67.058 % | |
56 | Japan | 66.298 % | |
57 | New Caledonia | 66.288 % | |
58 | Central African Republic | 65.947 % | |
59 | United States | 65.924 % | |
60 | Azerbaijan | 65.604 % | |
61 | Czech Republic | 65.563 % | |
62 | Singapore | 65.442 % | |
63 | Ireland | 65.17 % | |
64 | Georgia | 64.937 % | |
65 | Bulgaria | 64.794 % | |
66 | Malawi | 64.645 % | |
67 | Hungary | 64.192 % | |
68 | Slovakia | 64.081 % | |
69 | Luxembourg | 63.871 % | |
70 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 63.652 % | |
71 | Niger | 63.534 % | |
72 | Haiti | 63.36 % | |
73 | United States Virgin Islands | 63.294 % | |
74 | Ukraine | 62.968 % | |
75 | Belgium | 62.96 % | |
76 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 62.78 % | |
77 | Armenia | 62.429 % | |
78 | Guam | 62.284 % | |
79 | Mali | 61.949 % | |
80 | Poland | 61.706 % | |
81 | Cรดte d'Ivoire | 61.646 % | |
82 | Zimbabwe | 61.558 % | |
83 | Timor-Leste | 61.545 % | |
84 | Croatia | 61.273 % | |
85 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 60.888 % | |
86 | Brunei Darussalam | 60.608 % | |
87 | Colombia | 59.285 % | |
88 | Laos | 59.27 % | |
89 | Trinidad and Tobago | 59.14 % | |
90 | Namibia | 58.812 % | |
91 | Bolivia | 58.705 % | |
92 | Greece | 58.532 % | |
93 | Brazil | 58.241 % | |
94 | Jamaica | 58.24 % | |
95 | Botswana | 58.082 % | |
96 | Lesotho | 58.004 % | |
97 | Sierra Leone | 57.996 % | |
98 | Paraguay | 57.401 % | |
99 | South Korea | 57.246 % | |
100 | Vanuatu | 57.033 % | |
101 | Chile | 56.869 % | |
102 | Togo | 56.615 % | |
103 | Mongolia | 56.522 % | |
104 | Bhutan | 56.46 % | |
105 | Rwanda | 56.412 % | |
106 | Costa Rica | 56.39 % | |
107 | Cabo Verde | 55.811 % | |
108 | Guinea-Bissau | 55.604 % | |
109 | Qatar | 55.568 % | |
110 | Serbia | 55.482 % | |
111 | Montenegro | 55.447 % | |
112 | Argentina | 55.135 % | |
113 | Equatorial Guinea | 55.11 % | |
114 | Panama | 54.969 % | |
115 | Myanmar | 54.769 % | |
116 | Italy | 54.35 % | |
117 | Malta | 54.288 % | |
118 | Malaysia | 53.87 % | |
119 | French Polynesia | 53.78 % | |
120 | Indonesia | 53.073 % | |
121 | Cuba | 52.702 % | |
122 | Venezuela | 52.504 % | |
123 | North Macedonia | 52.105 % | |
124 | Zambia | 51.663 % | |
125 | Chad | 51.353 % | |
126 | Kuwait | 51.097 % | |
127 | Albania | 51.039 % | |
128 | Kyrgyzstan | 50.954 % | |
129 | South Africa | 50.652 % | |
130 | Philippines | 50.648 % | |
131 | Mauritius | 50.607 % | |
132 | Nicaragua | 50.443 % | |
133 | Ecuador | 50.312 % | |
134 | Guinea | 50.082 % | |
135 | Romania | 49.624 % | |
136 | Papua New Guinea | 49.546 % | |
137 | Belize | 49.446 % | |
138 | El Salvador | 49.343 % | |
139 | Dominican Republic | 48.632 % | |
140 | Eswatini | 48.596 % | |
141 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 48.405 % | |
142 | United Arab Emirates | 48.127 % | |
143 | Suriname | 47.987 % | |
144 | Honduras | 47.367 % | |
145 | Mexico | 46.606 % | |
146 | Tonga | 45.838 % | |
147 | Gambia | 45.414 % | |
148 | Bahrain | 44.774 % | |
149 | Samoa | 44.475 % | |
150 | Guyana | 44.418 % | |
151 | Fiji | 43.987 % | |
152 | Gabon | 42.929 % | |
153 | Uzbekistan | 42.462 % | |
154 | Turkmenistan | 42.026 % | |
155 | Guatemala | 41.415 % | |
156 | Puerto Rico | 39.872 % | |
157 | Maldives | 39.595 % | |
158 | Sri Lanka | 36.593 % | |
159 | Libya | 36.543 % | |
160 | Senegal | 35.287 % | |
161 | Bangladesh | 35.144 % | |
162 | Comoros | 34.006 % | |
163 | Turkey | 33.316 % | |
164 | Oman | 30.376 % | |
165 | Tunisia | 28.353 % | |
166 | Nepal | 28.295 % | |
167 | India | 28.091 % | |
168 | Lebanon | 27.884 % | |
169 | Mauritania | 27.867 % | |
170 | Morocco | 26.269 % | |
171 | Tajikistan | 25.852 % | |
172 | Sudan | 25.093 % | |
173 | Egypt | 24.845 % | |
174 | Pakistan | 24.027 % | |
175 | Sao Tome and Principe | 22.559 % | |
176 | Somalia | 21.649 % | |
177 | Saudi Arabia | 21.078 % | |
178 | Afghanistan | 18.77 % | |
179 | Djibouti | 18.366 % | |
180 | State of Palestine | 17.302 % | |
181 | Algeria | 16.483 % | |
182 | Iraq | 14.401 % | |
183 | Iran | 13.966 % | |
184 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13.647 % | |
185 | Jordan | 12.985 % | |
186 | Yemen | 6.282 % |
- #1
North Korea
- #2
Madagascar
- #3
Iceland
- #4
Solomon Islands
- #5
Burundi
- #6
Tanzania
- #7
Mozambique
- #8
Sweden
- #9
Bahamas
- #10
Vietnam
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #186
Yemen
- #185
Jordan
- #184
Syrian Arab Republic
- #183
Iran
- #182
Iraq
- #181
Algeria
- #180
State of Palestine
- #179
Djibouti
- #178
Afghanistan
- #177
Saudi Arabia
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
The country with the highest Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2014 was North Korea with a participation rate of 86.11%, while the lowest was Yemen at 6.28%. The global rate ranged widely, reflecting diverse economic and cultural landscapes. The average participation rate across the 186 countries with available data was 56.11%, highlighting significant global disparities in economic inclusivity for women.
Economic Structures and Female Workforce Engagement
The Female Labor Force Participation Rate often correlates with a country's economic structure. For instance, North Korea leads with 86.11% participation, a reflection of its state-controlled economy where employment is mandatory. Similarly, countries like Madagascar and Iceland have high rates, 84.80% and 84.55% respectively, driven by different factors. In Madagascar, the agrarian economy necessitates labor from all family members, while Iceland benefits from progressive gender policies supporting women in the workforce.
Conversely, countries with lower participation rates, such as Yemen at 6.28% and Jordan at 12.99%, often face economic constraints and cultural norms limiting women's employment opportunities. In these regions, economic activities are frequently informal or centered around male-dominated industries.
Policy Influence on Participation Rates
Government policies significantly impact female labor force participation. In Sweden, where the rate is 79.31%, comprehensive parental leave and childcare support encourage women's employment. Meanwhile, Vietnam at 78.30% benefits from policies promoting women's roles in the workforce as part of broader economic development strategies.
In contrast, countries like Saudi Arabia with a 21.08% participation rate, have historically restricted women's employment due to legal and societal frameworks. Recent reforms aim to improve these figures, but traditional barriers remain significant.
Trends and Movements: Year-over-Year Changes
Analyzing year-over-year changes, some countries showed remarkable shifts. The Republic of Moldova experienced the largest increase, climbing by 4.25% (a 6.3% increase), due to policy reforms aimed at improving gender equality in the workforce. Other significant increases were seen in Honduras and Croatia, with rates rising by 2.76% and 2.74% respectively, reflecting efforts to boost female employment through economic incentives and support programs.
Conversely, Uganda saw the largest decrease of 6.92% (-8.3%), possibly due to economic challenges and labor market contractions limiting opportunities. Similarly, Bhutan and Paraguay experienced declines of 4.32% and 3.22%, respectively, highlighting the volatility and sensitivity of female labor participation to economic fluctuations.
Geographical and Cultural Factors
Geography and culture also play crucial roles in shaping female labor force participation. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, represented by Burundi at 81.66% and Tanzania at 81.57%, economic necessity often drives high participation rates, with women actively involved in agriculture and informal markets.
In contrast, Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Iran, with participation rates of 14.40% and 13.97% respectively, are influenced by cultural norms that traditionally restrict women's roles in the public sphere, although ongoing reforms aim to alter these dynamics.
Overall, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2014 reflects a complex interplay of economic, policy, and cultural factors, with significant variations across different regions and countries. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing strategies to enhance female economic participation globally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2014
Which country had the highest female labor force participation rate in 2014?
North Korea had the highest female labor force participation rate in 2014, with 86.11%.
Which country had the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2014?
Yemen had the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2014, with 6.28%.
What was the average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2014?
The average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2014 was 56.11%.
What was the median female labor force participation rate in 2014?
The median female labor force participation rate in 2014 was 58.24%.
Which countries were in the top 3 for female labor force participation rate in 2014?
The top 3 countries for female labor force participation rate in 2014 were North Korea (86.11%), Madagascar (84.8%), and Iceland (84.55%).
How many countries were included in the dataset for female labor force participation rate in 2014?
The dataset for female labor force participation rate in 2014 included 186 countries.
Insights by country
Morocco
In 2014, Morocco ranked #170 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 26.269 %. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting broader regional trends in North Africa where female participation in the workforce remains limited. Cultural norms, educational barriers, and insufficient policy support for working women have contributed to this low engagement in economic activities.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2014 was 36.593 %, placing it at #158 out of 186 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Contributing factors include cultural norms that prioritize traditional gender roles and limited access to education and employment opportunities for women in rural areas.
Iran
In 2014, Iran's Female Labor Force Participation Rate was 13.966 %, ranking it #183 out of 186 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting broader regional trends in the Middle East where female workforce engagement remains constrained. Key factors contributing to this low participation include restrictive social norms, limited economic opportunities for women, and legal barriers that hinder women's employment in various sectors.
El Salvador
In 2014, El Salvador ranked #138 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 49.343%. This rate is notably lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers include limited access to education for women and traditional gender roles that discourage female employment, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, economic instability and high levels of violence have further constrained women's participation in the labor market.
North Korea
In 2014, North Korea achieved the highest Female Labor Force Participation Rate globally, with a remarkable 86.112%, ranking #1 out of 186 countries. This figure stands in stark contrast to many nations, highlighting the unique socio-economic landscape of North Korea.
Government policies strongly encourage women's participation in the workforce, driven by the regime's emphasis on self-reliance and the need for labor in a state-controlled economy. Additionally, cultural norms in North Korea promote women's roles in various sectors, contributing to this exceptionally high participation rate.
Bhutan
In 2014, Bhutan ranked #104 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 56.46%. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers of this participation rate include traditional gender roles and limited economic opportunities for women in rural areas, where agriculture remains a dominant sector. Additionally, government initiatives aimed at enhancing women's education and employment are still in early stages, impacting overall participation.
Austria
In 2014, Austria achieved a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 70.898 %, ranking #40 out of 186 countries. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Austria's commitment to gender equality in the workplace. Factors contributing to this statistic include strong social policies supporting work-life balance and a robust economy that encourages women's participation in various sectors.
Kazakhstan
In 2014, Kazakhstan achieved a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 73.418 %, ranking #27 out of 186 countries. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a strong commitment to integrating women into the workforce. Key drivers include Kazakhstan's economic policies aimed at gender equality and significant investment in education, which has empowered women to pursue careers in various sectors.
Estonia
In 2014, Estonia ranked #38 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 71.47 %. This rate is notably higher than the global average, indicating a strong engagement of women in the workforce. Key drivers of this participation include Estonia's progressive gender equality policies and a robust emphasis on work-life balance, which have created an environment conducive to female employment.
Croatia
In 2014, Croatia ranked #84 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 61.273%. This rate is below the European Union average, reflecting challenges in integrating women into the workforce compared to neighboring countries like Slovenia, which has a higher participation rate. Factors contributing to this statistic include economic transitions post-independence and ongoing societal norms that influence women's roles in both the family and labor market.
Data Source
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate) | Data
The dataset is provided by the World Bank and offers modeled estimates of the female labor force participation rate as a percentage of the female population aged 15-64. It serves as a key indicator for understanding women's engagement in the labor market across different countries.
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