Female labor force participation rate in Kuwait
Kuwait: Female labor force participation rate was 49.9% in 2016. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Kuwait, 1965–2016
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 Kuwait is 49.9%, measured in 2016.
The figure is down 12.2% on the previous year and down 10.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Kuwait peaked at 62.1% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 9.0%, in 1965.
That places Kuwait 122nd out of 194 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 19 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 9.0% | — |
| 1970 | 10.0% | +11.4% |
| 1975 | 14.9% | +49.0% |
| 1980 | 20.2% | +36.0% |
| 1983 | 24.0% | +18.6% |
| 1985 | 31.1% | +29.6% |
| 1988 | 34.3% | +10.5% |
| 1995 | 43.5% | +26.7% |
| 1996 | 32.4% | -25.5% |
| 1997 | 33.2% | +2.4% |
| 2003 | 46.8% | +41.0% |
| 2005 | 45.8% | -2.1% |
| 2006 | 55.5% | +21.1% |
| 2007 | 56.8% | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 56.0% | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 59.5% | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 62.1% | +4.4% |
| 2015 | 56.9% | -8.4% |
| 2016 | 49.9% | -12.2% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 49.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 57.2%, 87% of the median. (79 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 49.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 26.7%, 1.9× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 9.0% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 1 |
| 1970s | 12.4% | 10.0% | 14.9% | 2 |
| 1980s | 27.4% | 20.2% | 34.3% | 4 |
| 1990s | 36.4% | 32.4% | 43.5% | 3 |
| 2000s | 52.2% | 45.8% | 56.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 57.1% | 49.9% | 62.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
- 119 Papua New Guinea 50.6% compare
- 120 Maldives 50.6% compare
- 121 Cape Verde 50.5% compare
- 123 Philippines 49.9% compare
- 124 South Africa 49.8% compare
- 125 Guatemala 49.7% compare
More work & labour data for Kuwait
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.7211 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.9054 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2002)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.4407 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,644 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 0 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,171 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,431 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,602 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Kuwait?
- Female labor force participation rate in Kuwait was 49.9% in 2016, 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 Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 62.1% in 2011.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.0% in 1965.
- How does Kuwait rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Kuwait ranks 122nd out of 194 countries with data for 2016.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Kuwait 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.