Female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia
Namibia: Female labor force participation rate by age was 26.2% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia stood at 26.2%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and down 14.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia peaked at 34.4% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 24.5%, in 2020.
That places Namibia 138th out of 188 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 Namibia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 34.4% | — |
| 1991 | 34.3% | -0.3% |
| 1992 | 34.3% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 34.3% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 34.3% | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 32.6% | -4.8% |
| 1996 | 31.0% | -4.9% |
| 1997 | 29.5% | -5.0% |
| 1998 | 28.9% | -1.9% |
| 1999 | 28.4% | -1.9% |
| 2000 | 27.8% | -2.0% |
| 2001 | 27.8% | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 27.9% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 27.9% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 27.9% | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 28.0% | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 28.0% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 28.0% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 28.0% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 28.1% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 28.1% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 28.1% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 28.2% | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 32.8% | +16.4% |
| 2014 | 30.6% | -6.8% |
| 2015 | 32.4% | +6.1% |
| 2016 | 34.3% | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 30.3% | -11.8% |
| 2018 | 26.4% | -12.7% |
| 2019 | 26.6% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 24.5% | -7.9% |
| 2021 | 25.1% | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 26.0% | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 26.1% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 26.2% | +0.3% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 26.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 29.0%, 90% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 26.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.5%, 76% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.2% | 28.4% | 34.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 27.9% | 27.8% | 28.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 29.8% | 26.4% | 34.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.6% | 24.5% | 26.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
- 135 Brunei 26.9% compare
- 136 United Arab Emirates 26.8% compare
- 137 Russia 26.4% compare
- 139 Cape Verde 25.6% compare
- 140 Croatia 25.3% compare
- 141 Philippines 25.0% compare
More work & labour data for Namibia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0906 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0929 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.3746 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,116 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,223 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 3,070 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,828 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,898 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia?
- Female labor force participation rate by age in Namibia was 26.2% 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 Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 34.4% in 1990.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate by age recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.5% in 2020.
- How does Namibia rank for female labor force participation rate by age?
- Namibia ranks 138th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Namibia 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).