Female employment rate in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Female employment rate was 49.5% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Female employment rate in Zimbabwe, 1982–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female employment rate in Zimbabwe is 49.5%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 11.9% on the previous year and down 34.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female employment rate in Zimbabwe peaked at 76.1% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 42.9%, in 1982.
That places Zimbabwe 94th out of 172 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female employment rate in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 42.9% | — |
| 1987 | 61.0% | +42.1% |
| 1997 | 64.2% | +5.3% |
| 1999 | 61.5% | -4.2% |
| 2004 | 73.9% | +20.2% |
| 2011 | 72.8% | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 52.4% | -28.1% |
| 2014 | 76.1% | +45.4% |
| 2019 | 56.4% | -25.8% |
| 2021 | 54.1% | -4.2% |
| 2022 | 53.4% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 56.2% | +5.2% |
| 2024 | 49.5% | -11.9% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 49.5% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 1.1× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 49.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56.1%, 88% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 52.0% | 42.9% | 61.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 62.9% | 61.5% | 64.2% | 2 |
| 2000s | 73.9% | 73.9% | 73.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 64.4% | 52.4% | 76.1% | 4 |
| 2020s | 53.3% | 49.5% | 56.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More work & labour data for Zimbabwe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1727 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2032 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0937 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.81 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,627 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16,032 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 19,130 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 18,036 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 37,167 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female employment rate in Zimbabwe?
- Female employment rate in Zimbabwe was 49.5% 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 76.1% in 2014.
- What is the lowest female employment rate recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.9% in 1982.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for female employment rate?
- Zimbabwe ranks 94th out of 172 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female employment rate rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.