Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Cape Verde
Cape Verde: Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) was 50.5% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Cape Verde, 1960–2019
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2019, female labor force participation rate in Cape Verde stood at 50.5%.
That represents a change of up 3.7% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Cape Verde peaked at 59.4% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 20.7%, in 1980.
That places Cape Verde 121st out of 194 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Cape Verde, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 56.7% | — |
| 1980 | 20.7% | -63.6% |
| 1990 | 41.1% | +98.8% |
| 2009 | 48.7% | +18.6% |
| 2015 | 59.4% | +21.8% |
| 2017 | 52.1% | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 48.7% | -6.5% |
| 2019 | 50.5% | +3.7% |
Cape Verde compared with similar countries
- Cape Verde's 50.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 52.2%, 97% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Cape Verde's 50.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 88% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 56.7% | 56.7% | 56.7% | 1 |
| 1980s | 20.7% | 20.7% | 20.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 41.1% | 41.1% | 41.1% | 1 |
| 2000s | 48.7% | 48.7% | 48.7% | 1 |
| 2010s | 52.7% | 48.7% | 59.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Cape Verde
- 118 Belgium 51.6% compare
- 119 Papua New Guinea 50.6% compare
- 120 Maldives 50.6% compare
- 122 Kuwait 49.9% compare
- 123 Philippines 49.9% compare
- 124 South Africa 49.8% compare
More work & labour data for Cape Verde
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 176.12 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 57.01 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 233.52 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 12.15 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.59 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 29,137 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 13,162 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 50.08 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 1.57 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 1.53 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Cape Verde?
- Female labor force participation rate in Cape Verde was 50.5% 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 recorded in Cape Verde?
- The highest recorded value was 59.4% in 2015.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Cape Verde?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.7% in 1980.
- How does Cape Verde rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Cape Verde ranks 121st out of 194 countries with data for 2019.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Cape Verde?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Cape Verde 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.