Female Labor Force Participation Rate 2024
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 | 87.153 % | |
2 | Madagascar | 84.575 % | |
3 | Solomon Islands | 84.24 % | |
4 | Iceland | 83.953 % | |
5 | Sweden | 82.369 % | |
6 | Netherlands | 81.998 % | |
7 | Tanzania | 81.975 % | |
8 | Nigeria | 81.937 % | |
9 | Cambodia | 81.889 % | |
10 | Bahamas | 81.383 % | |
11 | Burundi | 81.036 % | |
12 | Estonia | 80.844 % | |
13 | Switzerland | 80.73 % | |
14 | Denmark | 79.749 % | |
15 | New Zealand | 79.153 % | |
16 | Finland | 78.674 % | |
17 | Norway | 78.05 % | |
18 | Mozambique | 77.807 % | |
19 | Australia | 77.249 % | |
20 | Lithuania | 77.11 % | |
21 | Uganda | 76.866 % | |
22 | Canada | 76.569 % | |
23 | Belarus | 76.493 % | |
24 | Japan | 76.472 % | |
25 | Benin | 76.38 % | |
26 | Barbados | 76.27 % | |
27 | Eritrea | 76.187 % | |
28 | Kazakhstan | 76.042 % | |
29 | Germany | 75.901 % | |
30 | Portugal | 75.875 % | |
31 | Republic of Moldova | 75.532 % | |
32 | Vietnam | 75.238 % | |
33 | Latvia | 74.513 % | |
34 | Malta | 74.358 % | |
35 | Bolivia | 74.339 % | |
36 | Hungary | 74.228 % | |
37 | Cyprus | 74.204 % | |
38 | Niger | 74.02 % | |
39 | Austria | 73.779 % | |
40 | China, Macao SAR | 73.68 % | |
41 | United Kingdom | 73.542 % | |
42 | Liberia | 73.469 % | |
43 | Angola | 73.454 % | |
44 | Ireland | 72.857 % | |
45 | Slovenia | 72.608 % | |
46 | Slovakia | 72.604 % | |
47 | Israel | 72.543 % | |
48 | Russia | 72.148 % | |
49 | Czech Republic | 71.892 % | |
50 | Uruguay | 71.805 % | |
51 | Spain | 71.41 % | |
52 | Luxembourg | 71.371 % | |
53 | Singapore | 71.233 % | |
54 | France | 71.196 % | |
55 | Albania | 70.857 % | |
56 | China | 69.824 % | |
57 | Bulgaria | 69.682 % | |
58 | Poland | 69.622 % | |
59 | Saint Lucia | 69.527 % | |
60 | Azerbaijan | 69.406 % | |
61 | Peru | 69.375 % | |
62 | Thailand | 69.197 % | |
63 | United States | 68.944 % | |
64 | Serbia | 68.749 % | |
65 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 68.369 % | |
66 | Jamaica | 68.137 % | |
67 | Croatia | 67.226 % | |
68 | United States Virgin Islands | 67.145 % | |
69 | Belgium | 67.117 % | |
70 | Congo | 66.59 % | |
71 | Botswana | 66.428 % | |
72 | Guam | 66.258 % | |
73 | Central African Republic | 66.17 % | |
74 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 66.061 % | |
75 | Burkina Faso | 65.539 % | |
76 | Montenegro | 65.393 % | |
77 | Laos | 64.506 % | |
78 | South Korea | 64.091 % | |
79 | Kenya | 63.8 % | |
80 | Georgia | 63.675 % | |
81 | Qatar | 63.546 % | |
82 | Zimbabwe | 62.903 % | |
83 | Armenia | 62.888 % | |
84 | Paraguay | 62.879 % | |
85 | Greece | 62.803 % | |
86 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 62.352 % | |
87 | Timor-Leste | 61.836 % | |
88 | Chile | 61.791 % | |
89 | Argentina | 61.472 % | |
90 | Guinea-Bissau | 61.453 % | |
91 | Brazil | 61.393 % | |
92 | Cรดte d'Ivoire | 60.896 % | |
93 | Panama | 60.772 % | |
94 | Haiti | 60.308 % | |
95 | Ethiopia | 60.25 % | |
96 | New Caledonia | 60.064 % | |
97 | Rwanda | 59.853 % | |
98 | Brunei Darussalam | 59.778 % | |
99 | Bhutan | 59.549 % | |
100 | Malawi | 59.301 % | |
101 | Dominican Republic | 58.575 % | |
102 | Togo | 57.881 % | |
103 | Ghana | 57.809 % | |
104 | Cameroon | 57.691 % | |
105 | Romania | 57.599 % | |
106 | Colombia | 57.532 % | |
107 | Italy | 57.348 % | |
108 | Trinidad and Tobago | 57.037 % | |
109 | Zambia | 56.678 % | |
110 | Mauritius | 56.677 % | |
111 | Malaysia | 56.466 % | |
112 | Namibia | 56.358 % | |
113 | Mongolia | 56.22 % | |
114 | Cabo Verde | 56.161 % | |
115 | North Macedonia | 55.708 % | |
116 | Indonesia | 55.706 % | |
117 | Ecuador | 55.694 % | |
118 | Vanuatu | 55.458 % | |
119 | South Africa | 55.157 % | |
120 | Equatorial Guinea | 54.901 % | |
121 | Mali | 54.604 % | |
122 | Nicaragua | 54.376 % | |
123 | French Polynesia | 54.204 % | |
124 | United Arab Emirates | 53.804 % | |
125 | Sierra Leone | 53.311 % | |
126 | Costa Rica | 53.114 % | |
127 | El Salvador | 53.104 % | |
128 | Philippines | 52.728 % | |
129 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 52.313 % | |
130 | Mexico | 51.696 % | |
131 | Guyana | 51.542 % | |
132 | Papua New Guinea | 51.484 % | |
133 | Eswatini | 51.088 % | |
134 | Lesotho | 50.853 % | |
135 | Suriname | 50.783 % | |
136 | Cuba | 50.631 % | |
137 | Puerto Rico | 50.016 % | |
138 | Kuwait | 49.665 % | |
139 | Comoros | 48.958 % | |
140 | Chad | 47.771 % | |
141 | Kyrgyzstan | 47.734 % | |
142 | Gambia | 46.825 % | |
143 | Belize | 46.419 % | |
144 | Uzbekistan | 45.716 % | |
145 | Myanmar | 45.213 % | |
146 | Tonga | 45.153 % | |
147 | Bahrain | 44.856 % | |
148 | Guinea | 44.298 % | |
149 | Gabon | 43.569 % | |
150 | Maldives | 42.732 % | |
151 | Turkey | 41.929 % | |
152 | Venezuela | 41.712 % | |
153 | Honduras | 41.538 % | |
154 | Bangladesh | 41.477 % | |
155 | Turkmenistan | 41.417 % | |
156 | Fiji | 41.299 % | |
157 | Guatemala | 40.386 % | |
158 | Senegal | 38.941 % | |
159 | Libya | 35.978 % | |
160 | Sri Lanka | 35.328 % | |
161 | India | 34.806 % | |
162 | Saudi Arabia | 34.565 % | |
163 | Samoa | 33.892 % | |
164 | Oman | 31.655 % | |
165 | Tunisia | 30.495 % | |
166 | Nepal | 29.424 % | |
167 | Mauritania | 27.191 % | |
168 | Pakistan | 25.497 % | |
169 | Tajikistan | 23.21 % | |
170 | Sao Tome and Principe | 22.782 % | |
171 | Morocco | 21.614 % | |
172 | Somalia | 21.514 % | |
173 | Djibouti | 20.272 % | |
174 | Egypt | 19.854 % | |
175 | Jordan | 17.182 % | |
176 | Algeria | 15.842 % | |
177 | Iran | 15.73 % | |
178 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13.677 % | |
179 | Iraq | 11.602 % | |
180 | Afghanistan | 5.338 % | |
181 | Yemen | 4.89 % |
- #1
North Korea
- #2
Madagascar
- #3
Solomon Islands
- #4
Iceland
- #5
Sweden
- #6
Netherlands
- #7
Tanzania
- #8
Nigeria
- #9
Cambodia
- #10
Bahamas
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #181
Yemen
- #180
Afghanistan
- #179
Iraq
- #178
Syrian Arab Republic
- #177
Iran
- #176
Algeria
- #175
Jordan
- #174
Egypt
- #173
Djibouti
- #172
Somalia
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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