Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 49.3% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria, 1965–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria is 49.3%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.6% on the previous year and up 1.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria peaked at 60.6% in 1975 and was at its lowest, 44.4%, in 2005.
Bulgaria ranks 127th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 30 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 59.5% | — |
| 1975 | 60.6% | +2.0% |
| 1992 | 53.8% | -11.2% |
| 1997 | 46.9% | -12.9% |
| 2000 | 44.7% | -4.8% |
| 2001 | 46.4% | +4.0% |
| 2002 | 46.0% | -0.9% |
| 2003 | 44.8% | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 45.4% | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 44.4% | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 46.3% | +4.4% |
| 2007 | 47.5% | +2.4% |
| 2008 | 48.3% | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 47.5% | -1.7% |
| 2010 | 47.8% | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 47.2% | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 47.8% | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 48.6% | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 48.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 48.6% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 47.7% | -1.9% |
| 2017 | 49.5% | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 49.2% | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 49.7% | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 48.7% | -2.0% |
| 2021 | 48.3% | -0.9% |
| 2022 | 49.4% | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 49.8% | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 49.6% | -0.4% |
| 2025 | 49.3% | -0.6% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 49.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 57.2%, 86% of the median. (79 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 49.3% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 56.9%, 87% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 59.5% | 59.5% | 59.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 60.6% | 60.6% | 60.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 50.4% | 46.9% | 53.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 46.1% | 44.4% | 48.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 48.5% | 47.2% | 49.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.2% | 48.3% | 49.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More work & labour data for Bulgaria
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.7248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.7055 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.7441 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.5 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.5166 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 4,606 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 817.52 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,761 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,770 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,531 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Bulgaria was 49.3% in 2025, 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 Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 60.6% in 1975.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.4% in 2005.
- How does Bulgaria rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Bulgaria ranks 127th out of 194 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bulgaria 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.