Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin
Benin: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 was 74.7% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin, 1961–2022
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Benin recorded 74.7% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in 2022.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin peaked at 78.3% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 38.7%, in 1979.
That places Benin 9th out of 194 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 52.5% | — |
| 1975 | 70.1% | +33.7% |
| 1977 | 42.9% | -38.9% |
| 1979 | 38.7% | -9.7% |
| 1986 | 38.9% | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 57.6% | +48.0% |
| 1996 | 61.4% | +6.7% |
| 2001 | 68.7% | +11.8% |
| 2002 | 65.6% | -4.5% |
| 2003 | 78.3% | +19.4% |
| 2010 | 74.6% | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 69.7% | -6.6% |
| 2013 | 43.2% | -38.0% |
| 2019 | 74.4% | +72.0% |
| 2022 | 74.7% | +0.5% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 74.7% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.6× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Benin's 74.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 1.3× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 52.5% | 52.5% | 52.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 50.6% | 38.7% | 70.1% | 3 |
| 1980s | 38.9% | 38.9% | 38.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 59.5% | 57.6% | 61.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 70.9% | 65.6% | 78.3% | 3 |
| 2010s | 65.5% | 43.2% | 74.6% | 4 |
| 2020s | 74.7% | 74.7% | 74.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Benin
More work & labour data for Benin
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4203 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.395 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4457 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3247 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.72 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 15,661 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 8,269 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 19,967 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 19,620 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 39,588 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 in Benin was 74.7% in 2022, 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. 2024 recorded in Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 78.3% in 2003.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.7% in 1979.
- How does Benin rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024?
- Benin ranks 9th out of 194 countries with data for 2022.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2024 rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Benin 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. 2024. 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.