Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo
Congo: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 43.0% in 2012. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo, 1974–2012
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Congo recorded 43.0% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in 2012. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 8.9% on the previous year and down 35.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo peaked at 66.9% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 43.0%, in 2012.
That places Congo 152nd out of 194 countries with data for 2012, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 56.2% | — |
| 1984 | 49.3% | -12.2% |
| 2005 | 66.9% | +35.6% |
| 2009 | 47.2% | -29.4% |
| 2012 | 43.0% | -8.9% |
Congo compared with similar countries
- Congo's 43.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 90% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Congo's 43.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 75% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 56.2% | 56.2% | 56.2% | 1 |
| 1980s | 49.3% | 49.3% | 49.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 57.0% | 47.2% | 66.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 43.0% | 43.0% | 43.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Congo
More work & labour data for Congo
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.6949 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.6877 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.7017 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2906 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.46 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 9,208 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 2,302 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 10,131 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 9,894 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 20,026 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Congo was 43.0% in 2012, 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 Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 66.9% in 2005.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.0% in 2012.
- How does Congo rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Congo ranks 152nd out of 194 countries with data for 2012.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Congo 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.