Female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea: Female labor force participation rate was 50.6% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea, 1966–2022
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 Papua New Guinea is 50.6%, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea peaked at 92.0% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 47.7%, in 2010.
That places Papua New Guinea 119th out of 194 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 92.0% | — |
| 1971 | 57.4% | -37.6% |
| 2000 | 71.3% | +24.3% |
| 2010 | 47.7% | -33.2% |
| 2022 | 50.6% | +6.2% |
Papua New Guinea compared with similar countries
- Papua New Guinea's 50.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Papua New Guinea's 50.6% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 54.1%, 94% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 92.0% | 92.0% | 92.0% | 1 |
| 1970s | 57.4% | 57.4% | 57.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 71.3% | 71.3% | 71.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 47.7% | 47.7% | 47.7% | 1 |
| 2020s | 50.6% | 50.6% | 50.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Papua New Guinea
More work & labour data for Papua New Guinea
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0564 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0424 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0705 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.4419 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.49 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,326 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 10,546 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 9,357 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 9,284 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 18,640 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea?
- Female labor force participation rate in Papua New Guinea was 50.6% in 2022, 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 Papua New Guinea?
- The highest recorded value was 92.0% in 1966.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.7% in 2010.
- How does Papua New Guinea rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Papua New Guinea ranks 119th out of 194 countries with data for 2022.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Papua New Guinea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Papua New Guinea 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.