Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 63.9% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone, 1963–2018
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Sierra Leone recorded 63.9% for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone peaked at 65.9% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 45.0%, in 1963.
That places Sierra Leone 36th out of 194 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 45.0% | — |
| 2003 | 64.7% | +43.8% |
| 2004 | 65.9% | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 56.3% | -14.5% |
| 2018 | 63.9% | +13.4% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 63.9% is above the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 1.1× the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 63.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 1.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 45.0% | 45.0% | 45.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 65.3% | 64.7% | 65.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 60.1% | 56.3% | 63.9% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More work & labour data for Sierra Leone
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1389 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.091 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.2881 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 7,725 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,247 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 8,103 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 7,832 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 15,934 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Sierra Leone was 63.9% in 2018, 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 65.9% in 2004.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.0% in 1963.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Sierra Leone ranks 36th out of 194 countries with data for 2018.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.