Female labor force participation rate by age in Ghana
Ghana: Female labor force participation rate by age was 29.3% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate by age in Ghana, 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 Ghana is 29.3%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 30.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate by age in Ghana peaked at 52.4% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 29.1%, in 2023.
Ghana ranks 120th 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 Ghana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 52.4% | — |
| 1991 | 52.3% | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 51.9% | -0.8% |
| 1993 | 51.5% | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 51.1% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 50.7% | -0.8% |
| 1996 | 50.3% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 49.9% | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 49.5% | -0.8% |
| 1999 | 49.1% | -0.8% |
| 2000 | 48.7% | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 48.3% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 47.9% | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 47.5% | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 47.1% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 46.7% | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 46.3% | -0.9% |
| 2007 | 45.9% | -0.9% |
| 2008 | 45.5% | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 45.1% | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 44.7% | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 44.3% | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 43.9% | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 43.5% | -0.9% |
| 2014 | 42.1% | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 40.9% | -3.1% |
| 2016 | 39.5% | -3.2% |
| 2017 | 38.2% | -3.3% |
| 2018 | 36.2% | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 34.2% | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 31.9% | -6.8% |
| 2021 | 30.6% | -4.0% |
| 2022 | 29.1% | -5.0% |
| 2023 | 29.1% | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 29.3% | +0.6% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 29.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 29.0%, 1.0× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 29.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.5%, 85% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 50.9% | 49.1% | 52.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 46.9% | 45.1% | 48.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.8% | 34.2% | 44.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 30.0% | 29.1% | 31.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More work & labour data for Ghana
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1512 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1464 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1562 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.2734 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 37,518 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 13,752 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 34,429 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,119 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 67,548 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate by age in Ghana?
- Female labor force participation rate by age in Ghana was 29.3% 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 Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 52.4% in 1990.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate by age recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.1% in 2023.
- How does Ghana rank for female labor force participation rate by age?
- Ghana ranks 120th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ghana 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).