Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Vanuatu
Vanuatu: Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) was 66.3% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate in Vanuatu, 1979–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, female labor force participation rate in Vanuatu stood at 66.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 23.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Vanuatu peaked at 79.3% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 37.7%, in 1999.
That places Vanuatu 28th out of 194 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
Female labor force participation rate (Labour Force) in Vanuatu, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 78.1% | — |
| 1989 | 79.3% | +1.6% |
| 1999 | 37.7% | -52.5% |
| 2006 | 74.0% | +96.2% |
| 2009 | 60.2% | -18.6% |
| 2010 | 58.1% | -3.5% |
| 2019 | 53.9% | -7.2% |
| 2020 | 37.9% | -29.7% |
| 2025 | 66.3% | +75.0% |
Vanuatu compared with similar countries
- Vanuatu's 66.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.4× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Vanuatu's 66.3% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 54.1%, 1.2× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 78.1% | 78.1% | 78.1% | 1 |
| 1980s | 79.3% | 79.3% | 79.3% | 1 |
| 1990s | 37.7% | 37.7% | 37.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 67.1% | 60.2% | 74.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 56.0% | 53.9% | 58.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 52.1% | 37.9% | 66.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Vanuatu
More work & labour data for Vanuatu
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5174 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.5226 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5115 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.6054 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.46 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 163.02 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 311.57 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 431.36 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 444.12 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 875.48 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Vanuatu?
- Female labor force participation rate in Vanuatu was 66.3% in 2025, 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 Vanuatu?
- The highest recorded value was 79.3% in 1989.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Vanuatu?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.7% in 1999.
- How does Vanuatu rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Vanuatu ranks 28th out of 194 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Vanuatu?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Vanuatu 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.