Employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia
Zambia: Employment in services, female (% of female employment) was 38.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia is 38.4%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.9% on the previous year and up 35.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia peaked at 38.4% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 10.8%, in 2005.
That places Zambia 163rd out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 10.9% | — |
| 1992 | 10.8% | -0.3% |
| 1993 | 10.9% | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 11.4% | +5.1% |
| 1995 | 11.6% | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 11.9% | +1.4% |
| 1998 | 11.9% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 11.6% | -1.9% |
| 2000 | 12.1% | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 11.7% | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 11.4% | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 11.1% | -2.2% |
| 2004 | 10.9% | -1.8% |
| 2005 | 10.8% | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 11.1% | +3.4% |
| 2007 | 11.5% | +3.5% |
| 2008 | 12.0% | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 14.7% | +23.3% |
| 2010 | 18.0% | +22.2% |
| 2011 | 21.6% | +19.9% |
| 2012 | 26.0% | +20.4% |
| 2013 | 26.5% | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 27.3% | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 28.4% | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 28.7% | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 29.0% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 30.0% | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 34.4% | +14.7% |
| 2020 | 32.2% | -6.4% |
| 2021 | 33.6% | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 36.6% | +9.0% |
| 2023 | 37.0% | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 37.7% | +1.8% |
| 2025 | 38.4% | +1.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 38.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 50.6%, 76% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 38.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 45.1%, 85% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.9% | 9 |
| 2000s | 11.7% | 10.8% | 14.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 27.0% | 18.0% | 34.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.9% | 32.2% | 38.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More work & labour data for Zambia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5254 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.5224 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.7611 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,577 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,424 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 32,895 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 31,579 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 64,474 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia?
- Employment in services, female (% of female employment) in Zambia was 38.4% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest employment in services, female (% of female employment) recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 38.4% in 2025.
- What is the lowest employment in services, female (% of female employment) recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.8% in 2005.
- How does Zambia rank for employment in services, female (% of female employment)?
- Zambia ranks 163rd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment in services, female (% of female employment) rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Employment in services, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The services sector consists of wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels; transport, storage, and communications; financing, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social, and personal services, in accordance with divisions 6-9 (ISIC 2) or categories G-Q (ISIC 3) or categories G-U (ISIC 4).