Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 was 22.0% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan, 2008–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 22.0% for female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 60.3% on the previous year and up 42.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan peaked at 42.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 13.7%, in 2020.
Afghanistan ranks 162nd of 172 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 42.8% | — |
| 2012 | 15.5% | -63.9% |
| 2014 | 23.2% | +49.7% |
| 2017 | 18.2% | -21.5% |
| 2020 | 13.7% | -24.6% |
| 2021 | 22.0% | +60.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 42.8% | 42.8% | 42.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 19.0% | 15.5% | 23.2% | 3 |
| 2020s | 17.9% | 13.7% | 22.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4511 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.088 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,498 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 36,430 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,039 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 65,177 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,217 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan?
- Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Afghanistan was 22.0% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 42.8% in 2008.
- What is the lowest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.7% in 2020.
- How does Afghanistan rank for female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024?
- Afghanistan ranks 162nd out of 172 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are employed. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.