Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Malawi
Malawi: Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) was 44.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate in Malawi, 1975–2024
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 in Malawi is 44.8%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
That represents a change of down 38.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Malawi peaked at 88.1% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 44.8%, in 2024.
That places Malawi 146th out of 194 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 62.1% | — |
| 1983 | 86.2% | +38.8% |
| 1987 | 75.3% | -12.6% |
| 1998 | 75.5% | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 88.1% | +16.7% |
| 2005 | 78.1% | -11.4% |
| 2011 | 68.7% | -12.0% |
| 2013 | 72.8% | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 58.9% | -19.1% |
| 2020 | 63.2% | +7.4% |
| 2024 | 44.8% | -29.2% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 44.8% is below the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 78% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 44.8% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 78% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 62.1% | 62.1% | 62.1% | 1 |
| 1980s | 80.8% | 75.3% | 86.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 75.5% | 75.5% | 75.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 83.1% | 78.1% | 88.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 66.8% | 58.9% | 72.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 54.0% | 44.8% | 63.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More work & labour data for Malawi
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4409 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4183 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 1.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 4.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,360 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 28,345 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 30,321 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 28,820 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 59,141 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Malawi?
- Female labor force participation rate in Malawi was 44.8% 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 recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 88.1% in 2004.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.8% in 2024.
- How does Malawi rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Malawi ranks 146th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi 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.