Female labor force participation rate in Tonga
Tonga: Female labor force participation rate was 42.3% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
42.3%
Change on year
down 0.4%
World rank
142nd
of 186 countries
All-time high
45.5%
in 1994
All-time low
36.3%
in 1990
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Female labor force participation rate in Tonga, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, 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 42.3%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Tonga peaked at 45.5% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 36.3%, in 1990.
Tonga ranks 142nd of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female labor force participation rate in Tonga, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 36.3% | — |
| 1991 | 38.5% | +6.1% |
| 1992 | 40.8% | +6.0% |
| 1993 | 43.1% | +5.8% |
| 1994 | 45.5% | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 45.3% | -0.4% |
| 1996 | 45.1% | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 44.9% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 44.8% | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 44.7% | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 44.5% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 44.4% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 44.3% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 44.2% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 44.1% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 44.0% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 43.9% | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 43.8% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 43.8% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 43.7% | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 43.6% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 43.5% | -0.3% |
| 2012 | 43.4% | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 43.3% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 43.2% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 43.1% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 42.9% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 42.8% | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 42.6% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 42.6% | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 42.3% | -0.9% |
| 2021 | 42.6% | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 42.6% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 42.6% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 42.5% | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 42.3% | -0.4% |
Tonga compared with similar countries
- Tonga's 42.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 51.1%, 83% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Tonga's 42.3% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 55.9%, 76% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 42.9% | 36.3% | 45.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 44.1% | 43.7% | 44.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 43.1% | 42.6% | 43.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.5% | 42.3% | 42.6% | 6 |
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 42.3% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, 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 45.5% in 1994.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.3% in 1990.
- How does Tonga rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Tonga ranks 142nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Tonga data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, 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.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).