Female labor force participation rate by age in Rwanda
Rwanda: Female labor force participation rate by age was 45.4% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate by age in Rwanda, 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 Rwanda is 45.4%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 6.8% on the previous year and up 6.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate by age in Rwanda peaked at 54.9% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 36.4%, in 2021.
That places Rwanda 50th 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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 51.3% | — |
| 1991 | 51.2% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 50.9% | -0.6% |
| 1993 | 50.6% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 52.8% | +4.2% |
| 1995 | 54.9% | +4.0% |
| 1996 | 53.7% | -2.1% |
| 1997 | 52.6% | -2.2% |
| 1998 | 51.1% | -2.8% |
| 1999 | 49.5% | -3.1% |
| 2000 | 48.0% | -3.0% |
| 2001 | 46.7% | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 45.7% | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 45.1% | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 44.6% | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 44.3% | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 44.2% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 44.1% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 44.0% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 43.9% | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 43.7% | -0.5% |
| 2011 | 43.4% | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 43.1% | -0.7% |
| 2013 | 42.9% | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 42.6% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 42.3% | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 41.9% | -0.8% |
| 2017 | 41.6% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 39.8% | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 39.5% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 45.2% | +14.2% |
| 2021 | 36.4% | -19.4% |
| 2022 | 37.6% | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 42.5% | +13.1% |
| 2024 | 45.4% | +6.8% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 45.4% is above the median for low income countries, which is 45.4%, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 45.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.5%, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 51.9% | 49.5% | 54.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 45.1% | 43.9% | 48.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 42.1% | 39.5% | 43.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.4% | 36.4% | 45.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More work & labour data for Rwanda
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.267 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.2752 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2591 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3518 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.32 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 6,483 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,403 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 16,639 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 16,140 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 32,779 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate by age in Rwanda?
- Female labor force participation rate by age in Rwanda was 45.4% 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 54.9% in 1995.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate by age recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.4% in 2021.
- How does Rwanda rank for female labor force participation rate by age?
- Rwanda ranks 50th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Rwanda 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).