Female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana
Botswana: Female labor force participation rate by age was 38.4% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana is 38.4%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 0.8% on the previous year and up 15.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana peaked at 43.1% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 31.6%, in 2019.
Botswana ranks 70th of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43.1% | — |
| 1991 | 42.6% | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 42.1% | -1.3% |
| 1993 | 41.5% | -1.5% |
| 1994 | 40.7% | -1.8% |
| 1995 | 39.9% | -2.0% |
| 1996 | 39.1% | -2.1% |
| 1997 | 38.2% | -2.2% |
| 1998 | 37.4% | -2.2% |
| 1999 | 36.9% | -1.4% |
| 2000 | 36.3% | -1.4% |
| 2001 | 36.5% | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 36.7% | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 36.8% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 37.0% | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 37.2% | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 37.3% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 36.8% | -1.5% |
| 2008 | 36.2% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 35.6% | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 34.7% | -2.6% |
| 2011 | 34.3% | -1.0% |
| 2012 | 34.0% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 33.6% | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 33.3% | -1.0% |
| 2015 | 33.0% | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 32.6% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 32.3% | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 31.9% | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 31.6% | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 31.9% | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 35.9% | +12.6% |
| 2022 | 35.9% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 38.7% | +7.8% |
| 2024 | 38.4% | -0.8% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 38.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.6%, 1.1× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 38.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.5%, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 40.2% | 36.9% | 43.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 36.6% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.1% | 31.6% | 34.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.2% | 31.9% | 38.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More work & labour data for Botswana
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.146 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1516 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9387 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 2,871 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 550.66 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,969 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,868 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,837 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana?
- Female labor force participation rate by age in Botswana was 38.4% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate by age recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 43.1% in 1990.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate by age recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.6% in 2019.
- How does Botswana rank for female labor force participation rate by age?
- Botswana ranks 70th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).