Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Tonga
Tonga: Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) was 42.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Tonga, 1966–2023
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 Tonga is 42.9%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.0% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Tonga peaked at 50.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 5.4%, in 1966.
Tonga ranks 153rd of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Tonga, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 5.4% | — |
| 1976 | 13.5% | +151.0% |
| 1984 | 18.7% | +38.7% |
| 1986 | 17.9% | -4.2% |
| 1990 | 36.1% | +101.0% |
| 1994 | 45.4% | +25.8% |
| 2003 | 34.2% | -24.6% |
| 2016 | 41.4% | +21.2% |
| 2018 | 42.8% | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 50.5% | +18.0% |
| 2023 | 42.9% | -15.0% |
Tonga compared with similar countries
- Tonga's 42.9% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 52.2%, 82% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Tonga's 42.9% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 54.1%, 79% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 1 |
| 1970s | 13.5% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 18.3% | 17.9% | 18.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 40.7% | 36.1% | 45.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 34.2% | 34.2% | 34.2% | 1 |
| 2010s | 42.1% | 41.4% | 42.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 46.7% | 42.9% | 50.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Tonga
More work & labour data for Tonga
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0285 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0138 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.0722 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.78 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 41.65 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 98.27 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 58.13 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 59.74 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 117.87 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Tonga?
- Female labor force participation rate in Tonga was 42.9% in 2023, 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 Tonga?
- The highest recorded value was 50.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.4% in 1966.
- How does Tonga rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Tonga ranks 153rd out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Tonga 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.