Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia
Liberia: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 43.6% in 2017. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia, 1962–2017
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Liberia recorded 43.6% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in 2017.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 39.5% on the previous year and down 36.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia peaked at 72.2% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 24.8%, in 1974.
That places Liberia 148th out of 194 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 42.9% | — |
| 1974 | 24.8% | -42.1% |
| 1984 | 45.7% | +84.0% |
| 2007 | 68.2% | +49.3% |
| 2010 | 54.7% | -19.8% |
| 2014 | 71.3% | +30.3% |
| 2016 | 72.2% | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 43.6% | -39.5% |
Liberia compared with similar countries
- Liberia's 43.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 76% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Liberia's 43.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 76% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 42.9% | 42.9% | 42.9% | 1 |
| 1970s | 24.8% | 24.8% | 24.8% | 1 |
| 1980s | 45.7% | 45.7% | 45.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 68.2% | 68.2% | 68.2% | 1 |
| 2010s | 60.4% | 43.6% | 72.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Liberia
More work & labour data for Liberia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1439 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1155 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1716 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.202 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 6,689 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 3,115 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 6,410 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 6,256 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 12,665 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Liberia was 43.6% in 2017, 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 Liberia?
- The highest recorded value was 72.2% in 2016.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Liberia?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.8% in 1974.
- How does Liberia rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Liberia ranks 148th out of 194 countries with data for 2017.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Liberia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Liberia 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.