Female Labor Force Participation Rate 2025
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 | 87.344 % | |
2 | Madagascar | 84.596 % | |
3 | Solomon Islands | 84.253 % | |
4 | Iceland | 83.953 % | |
5 | Sweden | 82.283 % | |
6 | Netherlands | 82.15 % | |
7 | Cambodia | 82.058 % | |
8 | Tanzania | 81.973 % | |
9 | Nigeria | 81.901 % | |
10 | Bahamas | 81.39 % | |
11 | Estonia | 80.815 % | |
12 | Burundi | 80.786 % | |
13 | Switzerland | 80.728 % | |
14 | Denmark | 79.848 % | |
15 | New Zealand | 79.248 % | |
16 | Finland | 78.671 % | |
17 | Norway | 77.979 % | |
18 | Mozambique | 77.693 % | |
19 | Australia | 77.393 % | |
20 | Lithuania | 77.371 % | |
21 | Japan | 76.965 % | |
22 | Uganda | 76.931 % | |
23 | Canada | 76.717 % | |
24 | Benin | 76.565 % | |
25 | Belarus | 76.562 % | |
26 | Barbados | 76.411 % | |
27 | Eritrea | 76.187 % | |
28 | Germany | 75.97 % | |
29 | Portugal | 75.958 % | |
30 | Republic of Moldova | 75.717 % | |
31 | Vietnam | 75.123 % | |
32 | Bolivia | 74.853 % | |
33 | Malta | 74.566 % | |
34 | Latvia | 74.505 % | |
35 | Hungary | 74.285 % | |
36 | Cyprus | 74.282 % | |
37 | Niger | 73.969 % | |
38 | China, Macao SAR | 73.89 % | |
39 | Austria | 73.799 % | |
40 | United Kingdom | 73.493 % | |
41 | Liberia | 73.478 % | |
42 | Kazakhstan | 73.348 % | |
43 | Angola | 73.325 % | |
44 | Ireland | 72.975 % | |
45 | Israel | 72.692 % | |
46 | Slovakia | 72.638 % | |
47 | Slovenia | 72.539 % | |
48 | Singapore | 72.052 % | |
49 | Albania | 71.988 % | |
50 | Uruguay | 71.95 % | |
51 | Russia | 71.938 % | |
52 | Czech Republic | 71.878 % | |
53 | Luxembourg | 71.445 % | |
54 | Spain | 71.362 % | |
55 | France | 71.147 % | |
56 | Saint Lucia | 69.925 % | |
57 | Poland | 69.777 % | |
58 | Bulgaria | 69.71 % | |
59 | China | 69.576 % | |
60 | Peru | 69.559 % | |
61 | Azerbaijan | 69.293 % | |
62 | Serbia | 69.137 % | |
63 | Thailand | 69.007 % | |
64 | United States | 68.985 % | |
65 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 68.592 % | |
66 | Jamaica | 68.51 % | |
67 | United States Virgin Islands | 67.472 % | |
68 | Croatia | 67.381 % | |
69 | Belgium | 67.172 % | |
70 | Botswana | 66.728 % | |
71 | Guam | 66.723 % | |
72 | Congo | 66.566 % | |
73 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 66.224 % | |
74 | Central African Republic | 66.102 % | |
75 | Montenegro | 65.549 % | |
76 | Burkina Faso | 65.503 % | |
77 | Laos | 64.678 % | |
78 | South Korea | 64.392 % | |
79 | Kenya | 63.835 % | |
80 | Georgia | 63.808 % | |
81 | Qatar | 63.617 % | |
82 | Paraguay | 63.063 % | |
83 | Armenia | 62.946 % | |
84 | Zimbabwe | 62.928 % | |
85 | Greece | 62.687 % | |
86 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 62.309 % | |
87 | Chile | 62.188 % | |
88 | Timor-Leste | 62.054 % | |
89 | Argentina | 61.777 % | |
90 | Guinea-Bissau | 61.586 % | |
91 | Brazil | 61.511 % | |
92 | Panama | 61.06 % | |
93 | Cรดte d'Ivoire | 60.89 % | |
94 | Haiti | 60.353 % | |
95 | Ethiopia | 60.348 % | |
96 | Rwanda | 60.126 % | |
97 | Brunei Darussalam | 59.759 % | |
98 | New Caledonia | 59.71 % | |
99 | Bhutan | 59.648 % | |
100 | Dominican Republic | 59.208 % | |
101 | Malawi | 58.955 % | |
102 | Togo | 57.924 % | |
103 | Colombia | 57.676 % | |
104 | Romania | 57.598 % | |
105 | Italy | 57.372 % | |
106 | Ghana | 57.371 % | |
107 | Cameroon | 57.184 % | |
108 | Mauritius | 57.134 % | |
109 | Trinidad and Tobago | 57.012 % | |
110 | Zambia | 56.748 % | |
111 | Malaysia | 56.665 % | |
112 | Namibia | 56.393 % | |
113 | Cabo Verde | 56.354 % | |
114 | North Macedonia | 55.891 % | |
115 | Indonesia | 55.857 % | |
116 | Ecuador | 55.751 % | |
117 | Mongolia | 55.723 % | |
118 | South Africa | 55.396 % | |
119 | Vanuatu | 55.314 % | |
120 | Nicaragua | 54.641 % | |
121 | Equatorial Guinea | 54.47 % | |
122 | United Arab Emirates | 54.338 % | |
123 | Mali | 54.321 % | |
124 | French Polynesia | 54.185 % | |
125 | Costa Rica | 53.457 % | |
126 | El Salvador | 53.29 % | |
127 | Sierra Leone | 53.099 % | |
128 | Philippines | 52.77 % | |
129 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 52.499 % | |
130 | Mexico | 51.877 % | |
131 | Guyana | 51.661 % | |
132 | Papua New Guinea | 51.622 % | |
133 | Eswatini | 51.246 % | |
134 | Suriname | 51.006 % | |
135 | Puerto Rico | 50.629 % | |
136 | Lesotho | 50.487 % | |
137 | Cuba | 50.427 % | |
138 | Kuwait | 49.572 % | |
139 | Comoros | 49.492 % | |
140 | Belize | 49.322 % | |
141 | Kyrgyzstan | 47.765 % | |
142 | Chad | 47.525 % | |
143 | Gambia | 46.9 % | |
144 | Uzbekistan | 45.782 % | |
145 | Myanmar | 45.316 % | |
146 | Tonga | 45.028 % | |
147 | Bahrain | 44.847 % | |
148 | Guinea | 44.053 % | |
149 | Gabon | 43.386 % | |
150 | Maldives | 43.174 % | |
151 | Turkey | 42.477 % | |
152 | Venezuela | 41.579 % | |
153 | Honduras | 41.564 % | |
154 | Bangladesh | 41.475 % | |
155 | Turkmenistan | 41.455 % | |
156 | Fiji | 41.298 % | |
157 | Guatemala | 40.335 % | |
158 | Senegal | 39.178 % | |
159 | Libya | 35.74 % | |
160 | Sri Lanka | 35.445 % | |
161 | Saudi Arabia | 34.89 % | |
162 | India | 34.875 % | |
163 | Samoa | 33.511 % | |
164 | Oman | 31.584 % | |
165 | Tunisia | 30.494 % | |
166 | Nepal | 29.554 % | |
167 | Mauritania | 27.134 % | |
168 | Pakistan | 25.582 % | |
169 | Tajikistan | 23.223 % | |
170 | Sao Tome and Principe | 22.763 % | |
171 | Morocco | 21.534 % | |
172 | Somalia | 21.5 % | |
173 | Djibouti | 20.433 % | |
174 | Egypt | 19.872 % | |
175 | Jordan | 17.26 % | |
176 | Algeria | 15.704 % | |
177 | Iran | 15.647 % | |
178 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13.641 % | |
179 | Iraq | 11.533 % | |
180 | Afghanistan | 5.3 % | |
181 | Yemen | 4.847 % |
- #1
North Korea
- #2
Madagascar
- #3
Solomon Islands
- #4
Iceland
- #5
Sweden
- #6
Netherlands
- #7
Cambodia
- #8
Tanzania
- #9
Nigeria
- #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 2025, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate is led by North Korea at 87.34%, while Yemen records the lowest at 4.85%. Globally, the participation rates span a wide range, underscoring diverse economic and cultural landscapes. The average rate across 181 countries is 58.64%, providing a benchmark for understanding female economic engagement worldwide.
Economic Influences on Female Labor Participation
The Female Labor Force Participation Rate often reflects a country's economic structure and development policies. For instance, North Korea and Madagascar, with rates of 87.34% and 84.60% respectively, showcase high participation due to economic necessity and government policies promoting gender equality in the workforce. In contrast, countries like Yemen and Afghanistan, with participation rates of 4.85% and 5.30%, face economic challenges and cultural norms that restrict women's work opportunities. These disparities highlight the impact of both economic pressures and socio-cultural factors on female workforce engagement.
Policy and Cultural Drivers
Government policies and cultural norms significantly affect women's workforce participation. In Iceland and Sweden, where rates are 83.95% and 82.28%, progressive policies such as parental leave and childcare support facilitate women's employment. Conversely, in Iran and Algeria, with rates of 15.65% and 15.70%, traditional gender roles and limited policy support for working women contribute to lower participation. These examples underscore the profound influence of policy frameworks and cultural attitudes on female labor force engagement.
Regional Disparities and Demographic Factors
Geographical and demographic factors also play crucial roles. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, countries such as Nigeria and Tanzania show high participation rates of 81.90% and 81.97%, driven by agrarian economies where women are essential contributors. Conversely, Middle Eastern countries like Iraq and Syria have lower rates of 11.53% and 13.64%, influenced by geopolitical instability and conservative norms. This regional analysis highlights how economic sectors and demographic pressures shape labor participation.
Year-over-Year Changes and Economic Shifts
Observing year-over-year changes, Belize experienced the most significant increase with a 6.3% rise, reflecting economic diversification and improved educational opportunities for women. Albania and Singapore also saw notable increases of 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively, attributed to policy reforms and economic growth. Conversely, Kazakhstan faced the largest decrease of 3.5%, possibly due to economic restructuring and reduced demand in traditionally female-dominated sectors. Such shifts indicate how economic policies and market dynamics influence female labor force participation over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Labor Force Participation Rate in 2025
Which country has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2025?
North Korea has the highest female labor force participation rate in 2025, with 87.34%.
What is the average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2025?
The average female labor force participation rate across all countries in 2025 is 58.64%.
Which country has the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2025?
Yemen has the lowest female labor force participation rate in 2025, with 4.85%.
What is the median female labor force participation rate in 2025?
The median female labor force participation rate in 2025 is 61.51%.
Can you list the top three countries by female labor force participation rate in 2025?
The top three countries by female labor force participation rate in 2025 are North Korea with 87.34%, Madagascar with 84.6%, and Solomon Islands with 84.25%.
What is the range of female labor force participation rates in 2025?
The range of female labor force participation rates in 2025 spans from Yemen at 4.85% to North Korea at 87.34%.
Insights by country
United Arab Emirates
In 2025, the United Arab Emirates ranks #122 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 54.338%. This rate is below the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce compared to higher-ranking countries. Key drivers for this statistic include cultural norms and policies that have historically limited women's roles in certain sectors, despite recent efforts to enhance female employment through various initiatives.
Mali
Mali's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 54.321%, ranking it #123 out of 181 countries in 2025. This rate is below the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers include cultural norms that often limit women's employment opportunities and a lack of access to education and vocational training for females. Additionally, economic factors such as reliance on subsistence agriculture impact women's ability to engage in formal labor markets.
New Caledonia
In 2025, New Caledonia ranks #98 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 59.71%. This figure is below the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality within the labor market compared to neighboring Pacific nations. Key drivers include the region's economic reliance on mining and tourism, which traditionally employ more men, along with cultural factors that influence women's workforce engagement.
Mauritania
Mauritania's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 27.134 %, ranking it #167 out of 181 countries in 2025. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a substantial gender gap in the workforce. Factors contributing to this low participation include traditional societal roles, limited access to education for women, and economic structures that favor male employment in sectors like agriculture and mining.
Guinea-Bissau
In 2025, Guinea-Bissau ranks #90 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 61.586%. This rate is notably higher than the global average, indicating a relatively strong involvement of women in the workforce compared to many countries. Key drivers include the countryโs ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and the necessity for dual-income households in a challenging economic environment. Additionally, cultural shifts are encouraging women to participate more actively in economic activities.
Norway
In 2025, Norway ranks #17 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 77.979 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the country's commitment to gender equality in the workplace.
Norway's robust labor policies, including generous parental leave and subsidized childcare, have significantly contributed to this high participation rate. Additionally, a strong emphasis on work-life balance and progressive gender norms further empower women to engage actively in the labor market.
Nepal
Nepal ranks #166 globally in Female Labor Force Participation Rate, with a value of 29.554% in 2025. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workforce. Key drivers include traditional gender roles, limited access to education and employment opportunities for women, and economic structures that prioritize male labor. Additionally, rural demographics and societal norms further inhibit female participation in the labor market.
Papua New Guinea
In 2025, Papua New Guinea has a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 51.622 %, ranking #132 out of 181 countries. This rate is notably lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality within the workforce. Key drivers include cultural norms that often limit women's economic opportunities and a lack of supportive policies for female employment, particularly in rural areas where traditional roles prevail.
Romania
In 2025, Romania's Female Labor Force Participation Rate is 57.598%, ranking #104 out of 181 countries. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, which underscores ongoing gender disparities in the workforce. Key drivers of this rate include traditional gender roles and a slower pace of economic reforms, which have limited women's access to certain sectors and leadership positions.
Mauritius
In 2025, Mauritius ranks #108 globally with a Female Labor Force Participation Rate of 57.134%. This rate is lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in gender equality in the workplace compared to top-ranking countries. Key drivers behind this statistic include cultural norms and the need for policies that support women's employment opportunities, particularly in sectors such as tourism and textiles, which are vital to the Mauritian economy.
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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