Female employment rate in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Female employment rate was 37.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Female employment rate in Bangladesh, 1984–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, female employment rate in Bangladesh stood at 37.1%.
That represents a change of down 7.7% on the previous year and up 19.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female employment rate in Bangladesh peaked at 72.6% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 8.2%, in 2011.
Bangladesh ranks 141st of 172 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Female employment rate in Bangladesh, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 9.6% | — |
| 1985 | 9.7% | +1.5% |
| 1986 | 11.5% | +18.3% |
| 1989 | 72.6% | +531.9% |
| 1991 | 68.3% | -6.0% |
| 1996 | 61.0% | -10.6% |
| 2000 | 54.0% | -11.5% |
| 2003 | 24.8% | -54.1% |
| 2006 | 27.1% | +9.3% |
| 2010 | 33.9% | +25.2% |
| 2011 | 8.2% | -75.9% |
| 2013 | 31.1% | +280.2% |
| 2016 | 33.2% | +6.8% |
| 2017 | 33.9% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 41.2% | +21.6% |
| 2023 | 40.2% | -2.5% |
| 2024 | 37.1% | -7.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 25.9% | 9.6% | 72.6% | 4 |
| 1990s | 64.7% | 61.0% | 68.3% | 2 |
| 2000s | 35.3% | 24.8% | 54.0% | 3 |
| 2010s | 28.1% | 8.2% | 33.9% | 5 |
| 2020s | 39.5% | 37.1% | 41.2% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Bangladesh
- 138 Italy 38.8% compare
- 139 North Macedonia 38.4% compare
- 140 French Polynesia 37.9% compare
- 142 Uzbekistan 36.9% compare
- 143 Bosnia and Herzegovina 36.8% compare
- 144 Malawi 36.7% compare
More work & labour data for Bangladesh
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.4985 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4763 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5215 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.28 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 117,837 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 84,090 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 104,333 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 104,263 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 208,597 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female employment rate in Bangladesh?
- Female employment rate in Bangladesh was 37.1% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female employment rate recorded in Bangladesh?
- The highest recorded value was 72.6% in 1989.
- What is the lowest female employment rate recorded in Bangladesh?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.2% in 2011.
- How does Bangladesh rank for female employment rate?
- Bangladesh ranks 141st out of 172 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female employment rate rising or falling in Bangladesh?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bangladesh 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. 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.