Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho
Lesotho: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 57.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho, 1966–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 57.5% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho peaked at 67.5% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 26.6%, in 1996.
Lesotho ranks 74th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 56.6% | — |
| 1976 | 28.1% | -50.4% |
| 1986 | 36.5% | +30.1% |
| 1996 | 26.6% | -27.0% |
| 1997 | 56.2% | +111.0% |
| 1999 | 67.5% | +20.2% |
| 2006 | 31.6% | -53.1% |
| 2008 | 40.1% | +26.7% |
| 2013 | 57.3% | +42.9% |
| 2019 | 48.9% | -14.6% |
| 2024 | 57.5% | +17.5% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 57.5% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 57.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 100% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 56.6% | 56.6% | 56.6% | 1 |
| 1970s | 28.1% | 28.1% | 28.1% | 1 |
| 1980s | 36.5% | 36.5% | 36.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 50.1% | 26.6% | 67.5% | 3 |
| 2000s | 35.9% | 31.6% | 40.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 53.1% | 48.9% | 57.3% | 2 |
| 2020s | 57.5% | 57.5% | 57.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More work & labour data for Lesotho
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1902 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1849 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.293 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.37 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,485 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,719 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,674 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,586 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,259 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Lesotho was 57.5% in 2024, 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 67.5% in 1999.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.6% in 1996.
- How does Lesotho rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Lesotho ranks 74th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.