Female Labor Force Participation Rate 2024

Female labor force participation rate measures the active engagement of women in the workforce, indicating economic inclusivity.

181 data pointsโ€ขโ€ขGlobal Coverageโ€ขLabor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate) | Dataโ€ข

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
North Korea flag
North Korea
87.153 %
2
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
84.575 %
3
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
84.24 %
4
Iceland flag
Iceland
83.953 %
5
Sweden flag
Sweden
82.369 %
6
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
81.998 %
7
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
81.975 %
8
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
81.937 %
9
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
81.889 %
10
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
81.383 %
11
Burundi flag
Burundi
81.036 %
12
Estonia flag
Estonia
80.844 %
13
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
80.73 %
14
Denmark flag
Denmark
79.749 %
15
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
79.153 %
16
Finland flag
Finland
78.674 %
17
Norway flag
Norway
78.05 %
18
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
77.807 %
19
Australia flag
Australia
77.249 %
20
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
77.11 %
21
Uganda flag
Uganda
76.866 %
22
Canada flag
Canada
76.569 %
23
Belarus flag
Belarus
76.493 %
24
Japan flag
Japan
76.472 %
25
Benin flag
Benin
76.38 %
26
Barbados flag
Barbados
76.27 %
27
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
76.187 %
28
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
76.042 %
29
Germany flag
Germany
75.901 %
30
Portugal flag
Portugal
75.875 %
31
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
75.532 %
32
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
75.238 %
33
Latvia flag
Latvia
74.513 %
34
Malta flag
Malta
74.358 %
35
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
74.339 %
36
Hungary flag
Hungary
74.228 %
37
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
74.204 %
38
Niger flag
Niger
74.02 %
39
Austria flag
Austria
73.779 %
40
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
73.68 %
41
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
73.542 %
42
Liberia flag
Liberia
73.469 %
43
Angola flag
Angola
73.454 %
44
Ireland flag
Ireland
72.857 %
45
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
72.608 %
46
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
72.604 %
47
Israel flag
Israel
72.543 %
48
Russia flag
Russia
72.148 %
49
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
71.892 %
50
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
71.805 %
51
Spain flag
Spain
71.41 %
52
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
71.371 %
53
Singapore flag
Singapore
71.233 %
54
France flag
France
71.196 %
55
Albania flag
Albania
70.857 %
56
China flag
China
69.824 %
57
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
69.682 %
58
Poland flag
Poland
69.622 %
59
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
69.527 %
60
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
69.406 %
61
Peru flag
Peru
69.375 %
62
Thailand flag
Thailand
69.197 %
63
United States flag
United States
68.944 %
64
Serbia flag
Serbia
68.749 %
65
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
68.369 %
66
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
68.137 %
67
Croatia flag
Croatia
67.226 %
68
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
67.145 %
69
Belgium flag
Belgium
67.117 %
70
Congo flag
Congo
66.59 %
71
Botswana flag
Botswana
66.428 %
72
Guam flag
Guam
66.258 %
73
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
66.17 %
74
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
66.061 %
75
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
65.539 %
76
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
65.393 %
77
Laos flag
Laos
64.506 %
78
South Korea flag
South Korea
64.091 %
79
Kenya flag
Kenya
63.8 %
80
Georgia flag
Georgia
63.675 %
81
Qatar flag
Qatar
63.546 %
82
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
62.903 %
83
Armenia flag
Armenia
62.888 %
84
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
62.879 %
85
Greece flag
Greece
62.803 %
86
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
62.352 %
87
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
61.836 %
88
Chile flag
Chile
61.791 %
89
Argentina flag
Argentina
61.472 %
90
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
61.453 %
91
Brazil flag
Brazil
61.393 %
92
Cรดte d'Ivoire flag
Cรดte d'Ivoire
60.896 %
93
Panama flag
Panama
60.772 %
94
Haiti flag
Haiti
60.308 %
95
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
60.25 %
96
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
60.064 %
97
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
59.853 %
98
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
59.778 %
99
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
59.549 %
100
Malawi flag
Malawi
59.301 %
101
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
58.575 %
102
Togo flag
Togo
57.881 %
103
Ghana flag
Ghana
57.809 %
104
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
57.691 %
105
Romania flag
Romania
57.599 %
106
Colombia flag
Colombia
57.532 %
107
Italy flag
Italy
57.348 %
108
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
57.037 %
109
Zambia flag
Zambia
56.678 %
110
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
56.677 %
111
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
56.466 %
112
Namibia flag
Namibia
56.358 %
113
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
56.22 %
114
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
56.161 %
115
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
55.708 %
116
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
55.706 %
117
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
55.694 %
118
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
55.458 %
119
South Africa flag
South Africa
55.157 %
120
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
54.901 %
121
Mali flag
Mali
54.604 %
122
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
54.376 %
123
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
54.204 %
124
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
53.804 %
125
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
53.311 %
126
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
53.114 %
127
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
53.104 %
128
Philippines flag
Philippines
52.728 %
129
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
52.313 %
130
Mexico flag
Mexico
51.696 %
131
Guyana flag
Guyana
51.542 %
132
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
51.484 %
133
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
51.088 %
134
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
50.853 %
135
Suriname flag
Suriname
50.783 %
136
Cuba flag
Cuba
50.631 %
137
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
50.016 %
138
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
49.665 %
139
Comoros flag
Comoros
48.958 %
140
Chad flag
Chad
47.771 %
141
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
47.734 %
142
Gambia flag
Gambia
46.825 %
143
Belize flag
Belize
46.419 %
144
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
45.716 %
145
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
45.213 %
146
Tonga flag
Tonga
45.153 %
147
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
44.856 %
148
Guinea flag
Guinea
44.298 %
149
Gabon flag
Gabon
43.569 %
150
Maldives flag
Maldives
42.732 %
151
Turkey flag
Turkey
41.929 %
152
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
41.712 %
153
Honduras flag
Honduras
41.538 %
154
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
41.477 %
155
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
41.417 %
156
Fiji flag
Fiji
41.299 %
157
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
40.386 %
158
Senegal flag
Senegal
38.941 %
159
Libya flag
Libya
35.978 %
160
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
35.328 %
161
India flag
India
34.806 %
162
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
34.565 %
163
Samoa flag
Samoa
33.892 %
164
Oman flag
Oman
31.655 %
165
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
30.495 %
166
Nepal flag
Nepal
29.424 %
167
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
27.191 %
168
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
25.497 %
169
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
23.21 %
170
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
22.782 %
171
Morocco flag
Morocco
21.614 %
172
Somalia flag
Somalia
21.514 %
173
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
20.272 %
174
Egypt flag
Egypt
19.854 %
175
Jordan flag
Jordan
17.182 %
176
Algeria flag
Algeria
15.842 %
177
Iran flag
Iran
15.73 %
178
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
13.677 %
179
Iraq flag
Iraq
11.602 %
180
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
5.338 %
181
Yemen flag
Yemen
4.89 %

โ†‘Top 10 Countries

  1. #1North Korea flagNorth Korea
  2. #2Madagascar flagMadagascar
  3. #3Solomon Islands flagSolomon Islands
  4. #4Iceland flagIceland
  5. #5Sweden flagSweden
  6. #6Netherlands flagNetherlands
  7. #7Tanzania flagTanzania
  8. #8Nigeria flagNigeria
  9. #9Cambodia flagCambodia
  10. #10Bahamas flagBahamas

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

โ†“Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #181Yemen flagYemen
  2. #180Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  3. #179Iraq flagIraq
  4. #178Syrian Arab Republic flagSyrian Arab Republic
  5. #177Iran flagIran
  6. #176Algeria flagAlgeria
  7. #175Jordan flagJordan
  8. #174Egypt flagEgypt
  9. #173Djibouti flagDjibouti
  10. #172Somalia flagSomalia

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2024, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate is led by North Korea with a remarkable rate of 87.15%, while Yemen anchors the list at just 4.89%. This metric spans a global range that highlights significant disparities in women's workforce engagement across nations. The global average participation rate stands at 58.57%, providing a benchmark for economic inclusivity worldwide.

Economic and Policy Drivers of High Participation Rates

Countries with high female labor force participation often share certain economic and policy characteristics. For instance, North Korea leads the world with a rate of 87.15%, a figure that reflects its unique socio-political structure where women are systematically integrated into the workforce. Similarly, Iceland and Sweden show high participation rates of 83.95% and 82.37%, respectively. These countries are known for their progressive gender equality policies and robust social welfare systems that support working women through maternity leave and childcare services. In Sweden, for example, the government provides extensive parental leave, allowing both parents to share responsibilities, which encourages higher female employment.

Challenges and Barriers in Low Participation Countries

In contrast, countries with the lowest female labor force participation rates face various socio-economic barriers. Yemen, with a rate of only 4.89%, and Afghanistan, at 5.34%, are impacted by ongoing conflicts and restrictive cultural norms that limit women's roles in the economy. In the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq, where participation rates are 13.68% and 11.60% respectively, similar challenges are compounded by political instability and limited access to education for women. These conditions restrict women's opportunities to seek employment and contribute economically.

Year-over-Year Trends: Movers and Shakers

The analysis of year-over-year changes reveals notable trends in female labor force participation. Republic of Moldova saw the highest increase with a rise of 2.80% (3.9%), reflecting efforts to improve gender equality and economic conditions. Panama and Costa Rica also experienced significant increases of 2.44% (4.2%) and 2.23% (4.4%), respectively, possibly due to enhanced employment policies and economic growth that have opened more opportunities for women.

Conversely, Bangladesh experienced the largest decline, with a decrease of 3.33% (-7.4%). This drop may be attributed to economic slowdowns or shifts in industrial sectors that predominantly employ women. Qatar and Saudi Arabia also saw declines of 1.51% (-2.3%) and 1.05% (-3.0%), respectively, potentially linked to fluctuations in oil markets and the transition towards more diversified economies, which can temporarily disrupt employment patterns.

Geographic and Cultural Influences

Geographic and cultural contexts significantly influence female labor force participation rates. For instance, Madagascar and the Solomon Islands, with rates of 84.58% and 84.24% respectively, benefit from agricultural economies where women play a crucial role. In Nigeria, which has a participation rate of 81.94%, cultural acceptance of women in various economic sectors contributes to higher engagement. However, in many Middle Eastern and North African countries like Iran and Algeria, with participation rates of 15.73% and 15.84%, traditional gender roles and legal restrictions still limit women's economic participation.

The data for 2024 underscores the complex interplay of economic, policy, and cultural factors that shape female labor force participation rates globally. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers aiming to enhance economic inclusivity and leverage the full potential of the female workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2024

Which country has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2024?

North Korea has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2024, with 87.15%.

What is the female labor force participation rate of the lowest-ranked country in 2024?

Yemen has the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2024, at 4.89%.

What is the average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2024?

The average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2024 is 58.57%.

What is the median female labor force participation rate in 2024?

The median female labor force participation rate in 2024 is 61.39%.

Which countries are in the top 10 for female labor force participation rate in 2024?

The top 10 countries for female labor force participation rate in 2024 are North Korea, Madagascar, Solomon Islands, Iceland, Sweden, Netherlands, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cambodia, and Bahamas.

How many countries are included in the dataset for female labor force participation rate in 2024?

The dataset includes 181 countries for female labor force participation rate in 2024.

Insights by country

1

Togo

Togo ranks #102 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 57.881% in 2024. This rate is below the global average, indicating challenges in gender equality in the workforce compared to higher-ranking countries like Rwanda, which leads with over 60%. Key drivers of Togo's participation rate include limited access to education for women and traditional gender roles that often restrict economic opportunities.

2

Ghana

In 2024, Ghana's Female Labor Force Participation Rate stands at 57.809%, ranking #103 out of 181 countries. This rate is notably below the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce compared to higher-ranking nations. Key drivers of this statistic include cultural norms that influence women's roles in society and economic factors such as limited access to education and professional opportunities for women.

3

Angola

In 2024, Angola's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 73.454%, ranking #43 out of 181 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting a strong commitment to women's economic engagement in the country. Key drivers include Angola's post-civil war recovery, which has led to increased job opportunities for women, particularly in sectors like agriculture and services.

4

Cameroon

In 2024, Cameroon ranks #104 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 57.691%. This rate is notably lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce compared to more progressive nations.

Key drivers of this statistic include cultural norms that often limit women's roles to domestic responsibilities and economic factors that restrict access to education and professional opportunities. Additionally, the country's ongoing economic challenges and reliance on agriculture may hinder women's full participation in the labor market.

5

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 56.161 %, ranking #114 out of 181 countries in 2024. This rate is below the global average, reflecting challenges in achieving gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers include limited access to education and professional opportunities for women, along with cultural norms that can restrict female employment. However, recent government initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality are beginning to address these issues.

6

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Female Labor Force Participation Rate stands at 35.328% in 2024, ranking #160 out of 181 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality within the workforce.

Key factors influencing this low participation include cultural norms that prioritize traditional gender roles and limited access to childcare and support services. Additionally, economic instability has hindered job creation, particularly for women in rural areas.

7

Chad

In 2024, Chad's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 47.771 %, ranking #140 out of 181 countries. This rate is notably lower than the global average, reflecting broader regional challenges in gender equality and economic participation. Key drivers include limited access to education and vocational training for women, alongside cultural norms that often restrict female employment opportunities in both urban and rural settings.

8

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 69.406 %, ranking it #60 out of 181 countries in 2024. This rate is above the global average, reflecting a commitment to gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers of this high participation include governmental policies promoting women's employment and a growing economy that increasingly demands female labor in various sectors.

9

Afghanistan

In 2024, Afghanistan ranks #180 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 5.338%. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, highlighting the severe limitations on women's employment opportunities in the country. Key drivers of this low participation include ongoing security challenges, restrictive cultural norms, and policies that hinder women's access to education and the workforce.

10

Iraq

In 2024, Iraq's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 11.602%, ranking #179 out of 181 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the regional average in the Middle East, which hovers around 20%. Key factors contributing to this low participation include ongoing economic instability, cultural barriers, and limited access to education and employment opportunities for women.

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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Historical Data by Year

Explore Female Labor Force Participation Rate data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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