Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) was 57.6% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Ethiopia, 1981–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Ethiopia recorded 57.6% for female labor force participation rate in 2021.
The figure is down 22.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Ethiopia peaked at 74.8% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 28.4%, in 1981.
Ethiopia ranks 72nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 28.4% | — |
| 1987 | 46.8% | +64.7% |
| 1994 | 66.5% | +42.2% |
| 1999 | 54.5% | -18.1% |
| 2005 | 74.8% | +37.3% |
| 2013 | 74.3% | -0.7% |
| 2021 | 57.6% | -22.5% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 57.6% is above the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 1.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 57.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 1.0× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 37.6% | 28.4% | 46.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 60.5% | 54.5% | 66.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 74.8% | 74.8% | 74.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 74.3% | 74.3% | 74.3% | 1 |
| 2020s | 57.6% | 57.6% | 57.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More work & labour data for Ethiopia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4782 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4959 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4604 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.1765 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.96 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 74,537 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 116,333 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 183,282 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 184,008 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 367,290 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Ethiopia?
- Female labor force participation rate in Ethiopia was 57.6% 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 Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 74.8% in 2005.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.4% in 1981.
- How does Ethiopia rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Ethiopia ranks 72nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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.