Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 56.6% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe, 1982–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe is 56.6%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 8.7% on the previous year and down 29.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe peaked at 80.3% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 48.1%, in 1982.
That places Zimbabwe 87th out of 194 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 48.1% | — |
| 1987 | 66.2% | +37.8% |
| 1997 | 67.6% | +2.0% |
| 1999 | 64.5% | -4.6% |
| 2004 | 77.5% | +20.1% |
| 2011 | 77.5% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 58.1% | -25.0% |
| 2014 | 80.3% | +38.1% |
| 2019 | 60.7% | -24.4% |
| 2021 | 60.0% | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 59.6% | -0.6% |
| 2023 | 62.1% | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 56.6% | -8.7% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 56.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 56.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 98% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 57.2% | 48.1% | 66.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 66.0% | 64.5% | 67.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 77.5% | 77.5% | 77.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 69.1% | 58.1% | 80.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 59.6% | 56.6% | 62.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More work & labour data for Zimbabwe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1727 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2032 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0937 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.81 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,627 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16,032 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 19,130 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 18,036 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 37,167 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in Zimbabwe was 56.6% 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 80.3% in 2014.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 48.1% in 1982.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- Zimbabwe ranks 87th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
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.