The average for 2023 based on 178 countries was 51.07 percent. The highest value was in the Solomon Islands: 82.73 percent and the lowest value was in Afghanistan: 4.83 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region shows wide variation in estimated female labor force participation rates (LFPR) among women aged between 15 and 64 years for 2024. North Korea had the highest estimated LFPR in APAC, at about ** percent. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore had some of the highest female LFPR in the region, while South Asian countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and India had some of the lowest shares of women in the labor force. This stark contrast highlights the diverse economic and social landscapes across the region, reflecting varying levels of gender equality and women's empowerment. More opportunities for women? With growing emphasis on gender equality, women across the Asia-Pacific region have gained greater access to education and professional opportunities. Notably, in 2022, many countries across the region had a higher female to male ratio in tertiary education. However, gender inequality in access to opportunities persists, as the proportion of young women not in education, employment, or training (NEET) is significantly higher than the overall youth NEET rate across APAC countries. This disparity is especially pronounced in South Asia, where deep-rooted cultural, social, and economic barriers continue to limit women’s full participation in the workforce. Women in positions of power Despite efforts to advance gender equality, women are still underrepresented in decision-making positions in many governments across the Asia-Pacific region. As such, there was a much lower female representation in ministerial level positions in most APAC countries, compared to that of men. However, New Zealand and Australia stand out for exhibiting a more balanced gender representation in political leadership.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - Women (LNS11300002) from Jan 1948 to Jun 2025 about females, participation, 16 years +, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

Data showing labour force participation for women 1990 - 2021

The Bahamas had the highest female employment-to-population ratio in the world in 2023 at 90 percent of the women in working age in some form of employment. Iceland had the second highest female employment rate of the countries, reaching 81 percent.

The lowest female employment rate worldwide was found in Iraq, reaching only ***** percent. The Palestinian Territories and Sudan followed behind. A high number of the countries on the list are predominantly Muslim. Bahamas had the highest female employment rate in the world.

Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Saudi: Female data was reported at 35.538 % in Dec 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 35.943 % for Sep 2023. Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Saudi: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 25.977 % from Jun 2016 (Median) to Dec 2023, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.045 % in Sep 2022 and a record low of 17.437 % in Mar 2017. Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Saudi: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by General Authority for Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.G011: Labour Force: Participation Rate (Discontinued).

Iraq was the country in the world with the lowest labor force participation rate among young women in 2022, reaching only *** percent. Several of the countries topping the list were located in the Middle East and North Africa.

Egypt EG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 22.979 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.666 % for 2015. Egypt EG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 20.160 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.970 % in 1989 and a record low of 4.360 % in 1973. Egypt EG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2023, around 74 percent of the men aged 15 to 64 years in Morocco were part of the labor force, meaning that they were employed or actively seeking employment. On the other hand, the female labor force participation rate was considerably lower, at about 21.4 percent. Morocco's total labor force amounted to approximately 12.3 million people as of 2023.

Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data was reported at 33.960 % in Dec 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 34.568 % for Sep 2023. Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 26.823 % from Jun 2016 (Median) to Dec 2023, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.869 % in Sep 2021 and a record low of 18.685 % in Jun 2017. Saudi Arabia Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by General Authority for Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.G011: Labour Force: Participation Rate (Discontinued).

Kyrgyzstan KG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 48.320 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 49.910 % for 2015. Kyrgyzstan KG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 52.555 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2016, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.570 % in 1989 and a record low of 48.320 % in 2016. Kyrgyzstan KG: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kyrgyzstan – Table KG.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Hong Kong Labour Force Participation Rate: Qtr: Female data was reported at 55.300 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 55.400 % for Mar 2018. Hong Kong Labour Force Participation Rate: Qtr: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 49.900 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 55.400 % in Mar 2018 and a record low of 45.600 % in Sep 1992. Hong Kong Labour Force Participation Rate: Qtr: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census and Statistics Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR – Table HK.G017: Labour Force Participation Rate: GHS: RPA.

In 2019, Qatar had the highest male labor participation rate among the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region of approximately 94.7 percent, compared to 56.8 percent for females. The average female labor force participation rate in the MENA region was 28.8 percent in that year, compared to the global average of 47.1 percent.

United States US: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 57.035 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 56.801 % for 2016. United States US: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 56.638 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.034 % in 1999 and a record low of 37.700 % in 1960. United States US: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Thailand: Female labor force participation rate: The latest value from 2023 is 59.18 percent, a decline from 59.81 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 51.07 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Thailand from 1991 to 2023 is 63.68 percent. The minimum value, 59.02 percent, was reached in 2019 while the maximum of 67.55 percent was recorded in 1997.

Ecuador EC: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 55.424 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 55.808 % for 2016. Ecuador EC: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 52.379 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.124 % in 2006 and a record low of 45.680 % in 1990. Ecuador EC: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Population Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Early release of the 2017 ILO Labour Force Estimates and Projections, retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

The Netherlands was the country in the world with the highest labor force participation rate among young women in 2022, reaching over ** percent. It was also the country with the highest labor force participation rate among young men.

The average for 2023 based on 20 countries was 50.68 percent. The highest value was in Peru: 65.9 percent and the lowest value was in Puerto Rico: 32.01 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, the female to male labor force participation rate stood at approximately **** percent in Papua New Guinea. Comparatively, the female to male labor force participation rate in Afghanistan amounted to about ***** percent that same year.