Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives
Maldives: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 50.6% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives, 1977–2019
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2019, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives stood at 50.6%.
The figure is up 20.1% on the previous year and up 32.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives peaked at 62.3% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 20.2%, in 1990.
That places Maldives 120th out of 194 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 62.3% | — |
| 1985 | 23.8% | -61.8% |
| 1990 | 20.2% | -15.1% |
| 1995 | 28.1% | +39.2% |
| 2000 | 37.4% | +33.1% |
| 2009 | 38.2% | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 48.0% | +25.7% |
| 2016 | 42.1% | -12.2% |
| 2019 | 50.6% | +20.1% |
Maldives compared with similar countries
- Maldives's 50.6% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 52.2%, 97% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Maldives's 50.6% is above the median for South Asia, which is 36.2%, 1.4× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 62.3% | 62.3% | 62.3% | 1 |
| 1980s | 23.8% | 23.8% | 23.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 24.2% | 20.2% | 28.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 37.8% | 37.4% | 38.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 46.9% | 42.1% | 50.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Maldives
- 117 Ecuador 52.0% compare
- 118 Belgium 51.6% compare
- 119 Papua New Guinea 50.6% compare
- 121 Cape Verde 50.5% compare
- 122 Kuwait 49.9% compare
- 123 Philippines 49.9% compare
More work & labour data for Maldives
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.3002 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4913 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1384 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.545 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 310.55 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 265.89 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 257.6 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 217.32 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 474.92 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Maldives was 50.6% in 2019, 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 Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 62.3% in 1977.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.2% in 1990.
- How does Maldives rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Maldives ranks 120th out of 194 countries with data for 2019.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Maldives?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Maldives 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.