Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 23.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan, 1979–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 23.3% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in 2021.
That represents a change of up 41.2% on the previous year and up 45.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan peaked at 43.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 6.8%, in 1979.
Afghanistan ranks 184th of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 6.8% | — |
| 2008 | 43.8% | +541.1% |
| 2012 | 16.0% | -63.4% |
| 2014 | 25.8% | +61.0% |
| 2017 | 21.2% | -17.9% |
| 2020 | 16.5% | -22.1% |
| 2021 | 23.3% | +41.2% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 23.3% is below the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 40% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 23.3% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 26.7%, 87% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 43.8% | 43.8% | 43.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.0% | 16.0% | 25.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 19.9% | 16.5% | 23.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4511 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.088 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,498 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 36,430 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,039 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 65,177 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,217 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Afghanistan was 23.3% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 2008.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.8% in 1979.
- How does Afghanistan rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Afghanistan ranks 184th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Afghanistan 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 labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed). Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.