Female labor force participation rate in Maldives
Maldives: Female labor force participation rate was 50.6% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Maldives, 1977–2019
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 Maldives is 50.6%, measured in 2019.
The figure is up 20.1% on the previous year and up 32.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Maldives peaked at 62.3% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 20.2%, in 1990.
That places Maldives 120th out of 194 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 62.3% | 62.3% | 62.3% | 1 |
| 1980s | 23.8% | 23.8% | 23.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 24.2% | 20.2% | 28.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 37.8% | 37.4% | 38.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 46.9% | 42.1% | 50.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Maldives
- 117 Ecuador 52.0% compare
- 118 Belgium 51.6% compare
- 119 Papua New Guinea 50.6% compare
- 121 Cape Verde 50.5% compare
- 122 Kuwait 49.9% compare
- 123 Philippines 49.9% compare
More work & labour data for Maldives
- 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 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 63.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 76.4% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 53.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 40.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 66.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 79.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 43.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Maldives?
- Female labor force participation rate in Maldives was 50.6% 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 Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 62.3% in 1977.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.2% in 1990.
- How does Maldives rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Maldives ranks 120th out of 194 countries with data for 2019.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Maldives?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Maldives 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.