Female labor force participation rate in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Female labor force participation rate was 63.9% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Sierra Leone, 1963–2018
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 Sierra Leone is 63.9%, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Sierra Leone peaked at 65.9% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 45.0%, in 1963.
That places Sierra Leone 36th out of 194 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 45.0% | 45.0% | 45.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 65.3% | 64.7% | 65.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 60.1% | 56.3% | 63.9% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More work & labour data for Sierra Leone
- 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+) 53.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 55.2% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 93.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 51.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 54.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 56.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 53.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Sierra Leone?
- Female labor force participation rate in Sierra Leone was 63.9% in 2018, 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 65.9% in 2004.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.0% in 1963.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Sierra Leone ranks 36th out of 194 countries with data for 2018.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.