Female Labor Force Participation Rate 2023
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 | 86.906 % | |
2 | Madagascar | 84.481 % | |
3 | Solomon Islands | 84.223 % | |
4 | Iceland | 83.857 % | |
5 | Sweden | 82.187 % | |
6 | Tanzania | 82.006 % | |
7 | Netherlands | 81.944 % | |
8 | Nigeria | 81.884 % | |
9 | Cambodia | 81.668 % | |
10 | Burundi | 81.292 % | |
11 | Bahamas | 81.161 % | |
12 | Estonia | 80.904 % | |
13 | Switzerland | 80.35 % | |
14 | New Zealand | 79.48 % | |
15 | Finland | 79.251 % | |
16 | Denmark | 78.403 % | |
17 | Norway | 78.067 % | |
18 | Mozambique | 77.865 % | |
19 | Canada | 77.182 % | |
20 | Australia | 77.141 % | |
21 | Lithuania | 77.068 % | |
22 | Uganda | 76.715 % | |
23 | Benin | 76.152 % | |
24 | Eritrea | 76.15 % | |
25 | Belarus | 76.065 % | |
26 | Germany | 75.898 % | |
27 | Barbados | 75.504 % | |
28 | Japan | 75.495 % | |
29 | Kazakhstan | 75.328 % | |
30 | Portugal | 75.315 % | |
31 | Vietnam | 75.299 % | |
32 | Cyprus | 75.172 % | |
33 | Latvia | 74.372 % | |
34 | Bolivia | 74.348 % | |
35 | Austria | 73.97 % | |
36 | Niger | 73.682 % | |
37 | Hungary | 73.612 % | |
38 | United Kingdom | 73.435 % | |
39 | Angola | 73.388 % | |
40 | Liberia | 73.382 % | |
41 | Ireland | 73.009 % | |
42 | Republic of Moldova | 72.727 % | |
43 | Slovakia | 72.702 % | |
44 | Slovenia | 72.49 % | |
45 | Malta | 72.35 % | |
46 | China, Macao SAR | 72.152 % | |
47 | South Sudan | 72.034 % | |
48 | Russia | 71.705 % | |
49 | Israel | 71.579 % | |
50 | Singapore | 71.296 % | |
51 | Czech Republic | 71.231 % | |
52 | France | 71.148 % | |
53 | Uruguay | 70.678 % | |
54 | Luxembourg | 70.49 % | |
55 | Bulgaria | 70.473 % | |
56 | China | 70.473 % | |
57 | Spain | 70.439 % | |
58 | Albania | 70.046 % | |
59 | Thailand | 69.596 % | |
60 | Saint Lucia | 69.589 % | |
61 | Poland | 69.439 % | |
62 | Azerbaijan | 69.339 % | |
63 | Peru | 69.282 % | |
64 | United States | 68.72 % | |
65 | Jamaica | 68.014 % | |
66 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 67.314 % | |
67 | Serbia | 67.276 % | |
68 | United States Virgin Islands | 66.922 % | |
69 | Belgium | 66.685 % | |
70 | Congo | 66.597 % | |
71 | Botswana | 66.374 % | |
72 | Croatia | 66.351 % | |
73 | Burkina Faso | 66.235 % | |
74 | Central African Republic | 66.21 % | |
75 | Guam | 65.763 % | |
76 | Montenegro | 65.528 % | |
77 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 65.438 % | |
78 | Qatar | 65.056 % | |
79 | Laos | 64.359 % | |
80 | Kenya | 63.693 % | |
81 | South Korea | 63.238 % | |
82 | Georgia | 62.956 % | |
83 | Zimbabwe | 62.943 % | |
84 | Paraguay | 62.751 % | |
85 | Armenia | 62.299 % | |
86 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 62.168 % | |
87 | Argentina | 62.148 % | |
88 | Greece | 61.905 % | |
89 | Haiti | 61.329 % | |
90 | Guinea-Bissau | 61.312 % | |
91 | Timor-Leste | 61.202 % | |
92 | Brazil | 60.765 % | |
93 | Cรดte d'Ivoire | 60.653 % | |
94 | Chile | 60.577 % | |
95 | Rwanda | 60.563 % | |
96 | New Caledonia | 60.501 % | |
97 | Ethiopia | 59.938 % | |
98 | Brunei Darussalam | 59.614 % | |
99 | Bhutan | 59.422 % | |
100 | Malawi | 59.401 % | |
101 | Trinidad and Tobago | 58.84 % | |
102 | Panama | 58.335 % | |
103 | Togo | 57.73 % | |
104 | Cameroon | 57.663 % | |
105 | Italy | 57.609 % | |
106 | Ghana | 57.546 % | |
107 | Dominican Republic | 57.507 % | |
108 | Colombia | 57.505 % | |
109 | Romania | 57.11 % | |
110 | Zambia | 56.641 % | |
111 | Mauritius | 56.478 % | |
112 | Mongolia | 56.401 % | |
113 | Malaysia | 56.264 % | |
114 | Namibia | 56.197 % | |
115 | Cabo Verde | 55.753 % | |
116 | Ecuador | 55.662 % | |
117 | Indonesia | 55.524 % | |
118 | Vanuatu | 55.464 % | |
119 | Equatorial Guinea | 55.114 % | |
120 | Mali | 54.583 % | |
121 | North Macedonia | 54.488 % | |
122 | French Polynesia | 54.309 % | |
123 | South Africa | 54.26 % | |
124 | Nicaragua | 53.896 % | |
125 | United Arab Emirates | 53.595 % | |
126 | Sierra Leone | 53.239 % | |
127 | Philippines | 52.549 % | |
128 | El Salvador | 52.513 % | |
129 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 52.057 % | |
130 | Mexico | 51.444 % | |
131 | Papua New Guinea | 51.39 % | |
132 | Cuba | 51.318 % | |
133 | Costa Rica | 50.879 % | |
134 | Eswatini | 50.801 % | |
135 | Lesotho | 50.796 % | |
136 | Kuwait | 50.463 % | |
137 | Guyana | 50.384 % | |
138 | Suriname | 49.984 % | |
139 | Puerto Rico | 49.131 % | |
140 | Comoros | 48.865 % | |
141 | Chad | 48.017 % | |
142 | Kyrgyzstan | 46.723 % | |
143 | Gambia | 46.569 % | |
144 | Belize | 46.563 % | |
145 | Uzbekistan | 45.533 % | |
146 | Tonga | 45.235 % | |
147 | Myanmar | 45.186 % | |
148 | Bangladesh | 44.811 % | |
149 | Bahrain | 44.702 % | |
150 | Guinea | 44.128 % | |
151 | Gabon | 43.621 % | |
152 | Maldives | 42.415 % | |
153 | Honduras | 41.207 % | |
154 | Fiji | 41.154 % | |
155 | Turkmenistan | 41.14 % | |
156 | Turkey | 40.694 % | |
157 | Venezuela | 40.203 % | |
158 | Guatemala | 40.03 % | |
159 | Senegal | 38.672 % | |
160 | Libya | 36.121 % | |
161 | Saudi Arabia | 35.617 % | |
162 | Samoa | 33.84 % | |
163 | Sri Lanka | 33.598 % | |
164 | India | 33.229 % | |
165 | Oman | 31.945 % | |
166 | Tunisia | 30.516 % | |
167 | Nepal | 29.292 % | |
168 | Mauritania | 27.136 % | |
169 | Pakistan | 25.475 % | |
170 | Lebanon | 25.419 % | |
171 | Sao Tome and Principe | 22.872 % | |
172 | Tajikistan | 22.85 % | |
173 | Somalia | 21.489 % | |
174 | Morocco | 21.374 % | |
175 | Djibouti | 19.924 % | |
176 | Egypt | 19.83 % | |
177 | Jordan | 17.057 % | |
178 | Algeria | 15.834 % | |
179 | Iran | 15.65 % | |
180 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13.79 % | |
181 | Iraq | 11.505 % | |
182 | Afghanistan | 5.359 % | |
183 | Yemen | 4.938 % |
- #1
North Korea
- #2
Madagascar
- #3
Solomon Islands
- #4
Iceland
- #5
Sweden
- #6
Tanzania
- #7
Netherlands
- #8
Nigeria
- #9
Cambodia
- #10
Burundi
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #183
Yemen
- #182
Afghanistan
- #181
Iraq
- #180
Syrian Arab Republic
- #179
Iran
- #178
Algeria
- #177
Jordan
- #176
Egypt
- #175
Djibouti
- #174
Morocco
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2023, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate is led by North Korea with a participation rate of 86.91%, while the global range spans from a minimum of 4.94% to a maximum of 86.91%. The global average participation rate stands at 58.24%, providing a benchmark for understanding economic inclusivity across different regions.
High Participation in Nordic and Developing Nations
The Nordic countries, known for their progressive gender equality policies, continue to exhibit high female labor force participation. For instance, Iceland and Sweden report rates of 83.86% and 82.19% respectively. These figures reflect robust social policies that support work-life balance, such as parental leave and childcare services. Similarly, several developing nations like Madagascar and Solomon Islands show high participation rates of 84.48% and 84.22%. In these contexts, economic necessity often drives women's involvement in the workforce, compensating for less formal support structures.
Challenges in Middle Eastern and North African Regions
The Middle Eastern and North African regions feature some of the lowest participation rates, with Yemen and Afghanistan at the bottom with 4.94% and 5.36% respectively. Cultural norms, restrictive legal frameworks, and limited access to education are significant barriers. In Iran and Algeria, where participation rates are 15.65% and 15.83%, restrictive socio-political environments further inhibit women's economic engagement.
Urbanization and Economic Development
Urbanization plays a crucial role in shaping female labor force participation. Countries with rapidly urbanizing populations often see shifts in employment patterns. For example, Nigeria, with its high urban growth rate, has a participation rate of 81.88%. Urban centers offer more diverse employment opportunities and can reduce traditional barriers to women's workforce entry. Conversely, countries with slower urban development, like Afghanistan and Yemen, struggle to provide such opportunities, reflected in their low participation rates.
Year-over-Year Trends and Significant Changes
Analyzing year-over-year trends, Mauritius experienced the most substantial increase in female labor force participation, rising by 6.32% (12.6%). This growth can be attributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing female education and workforce integration. Bhutan and Montenegro also saw notable increases of 4.20% (7.6%) and 4.01% (6.5%) respectively, reflecting policy shifts towards gender inclusivity.
Conversely, Costa Rica faced a significant decline of 6.61% (-11.5%), potentially due to economic contractions affecting sectors with high female employment. Similarly, Honduras and Mongolia saw decreases of 4.41% (-9.7%) and 2.28% (-3.9%), highlighting vulnerabilities in economic structures disproportionately impacting women.
In conclusion, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2023 underscores the diverse factors influencing women's economic roles globally. From policy-driven high participation in Nordic countries to cultural and economic barriers in Middle Eastern regions, understanding these dynamics is crucial for crafting effective strategies to enhance gender inclusivity in the workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2023
Which country has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2023?
North Korea has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2023, with 86.91%.
Which country has the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2023?
Yemen has the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2023, with 4.94%.
What is the average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2023?
The average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2023 is 58.24%.
What is the median female labor force participation rate in 2023?
The median female labor force participation rate in 2023 is 60.77%.
Which countries are in the top 3 for female labor force participation rate in 2023?
The top 3 countries for female labor force participation rate in 2023 are North Korea (86.91%), Madagascar (84.48%), and Solomon Islands (84.22%).
How many countries are included in the dataset for female labor force participation rate in 2023?
The dataset for female labor force participation rate in 2023 includes 183 countries.
Insights by country
Qatar
In 2023, Qatar ranks #78 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 65.056%. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the country's progressive policies aimed at increasing women's employment. Factors contributing to this rate include Qatar's economic diversification efforts and initiatives promoting gender equality in the workforce.
India
In 2023, India ranks #164 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 33.229%. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers include cultural norms that prioritize traditional roles for women and limited access to education and employment opportunities in many regions. Additionally, economic factors such as informal labor markets and lack of supportive policies further hinder female participation in the labor force.
Guinea
In 2023, Guinea's Female Labor Force Participation Rate stands at 44.128 %, ranking #150 out of 183 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality and economic participation. Key factors influencing this statistic include limited access to education and vocational training for women, as well as traditional societal norms that restrict their employment opportunities.
Croatia
In 2023, Croatia's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 66.351 %, ranking #72 out of 183 countries. This rate is slightly below the European Union average, indicating room for improvement in gender equality in the labor market. Factors contributing to this participation rate include Croatia's post-war economic recovery and ongoing efforts to enhance women's roles in the workforce through various policies and initiatives.
Honduras
In 2023, Honduras has a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 41.207 %, ranking #153 out of 183 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting broader regional trends in Central America where female participation in the workforce often lags behind. Key drivers include limited access to education, economic instability, and cultural norms that prioritize traditional gender roles, which collectively hinder women's employment opportunities.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria ranks #55 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 70.473% in 2023. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a commitment to gender equality in the workforce.
Key drivers of this participation include Bulgaria's EU membership, which has fostered policies aimed at improving women's employment opportunities, and a growing service sector that increasingly values female labor. Additionally, demographic trends show a relatively high level of education among women, further contributing to their active role in the labor market.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
In 2023, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ranks #66 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 67.314%. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a commitment to gender equality in the workforce. Contributing factors include the country's focus on education for women and initiatives aimed at increasing female employment in various sectors, particularly in tourism and agriculture.
Saint Lucia
In 2023, Saint Lucia ranks #60 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 69.589%. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the country's commitment to gender equality in the workforce.
Key drivers include a strong emphasis on education for women and government policies that promote female employment, particularly in tourism and service sectors, which are vital to the economy.
New Zealand
In 2023, New Zealand ranks #14 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 79.48%. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting New Zealand's progressive labor policies and strong emphasis on gender equality. Key drivers include comprehensive parental leave policies and a robust support system for working mothers, which facilitate women's participation in the workforce.
Senegal
In 2023, Senegal ranks #159 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 38.672%. This figure is notably lower than the global average, highlighting significant barriers to women's economic engagement compared to countries with higher participation rates. Factors contributing to this low rate include traditional gender roles, limited access to education and vocational training for women, and economic structures that often favor male employment in key sectors.
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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