Female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Female labor force participation rate was 23.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan, 1979–2021
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 in Afghanistan is 23.3%, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of up 41.2% on the previous year and up 45.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan peaked at 43.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 6.8%, in 1979.
Afghanistan ranks 184th of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 43.8% | 43.8% | 43.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.0% | 16.0% | 25.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 19.9% | 16.5% | 23.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 0 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 37.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 69.8% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 7.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 5.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 38.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 71.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 5.3% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan?
- Female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan was 23.3% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 2008.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.8% in 1979.
- How does Afghanistan rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Afghanistan ranks 184th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Afghanistan 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. 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.