Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia
Somalia: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 21.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
21.5%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
176th
of 187 countries
All-time high
22.3%
in 1993
All-time low
21.3%
in 2008
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia is 21.5%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and down 0.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia peaked at 22.3% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 21.3%, in 2008.
Somalia ranks 176th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 22.1% | — |
| 1991 | 22.1% | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 22.3% | +0.6% |
| 1993 | 22.3% | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 22.2% | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 22.1% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 22.1% | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 22.0% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 21.9% | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 21.9% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 21.9% | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 21.8% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 21.8% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 21.7% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 21.7% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 21.5% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 21.4% | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 21.3% | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 21.3% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 21.3% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 21.3% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 21.5% | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 21.6% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 21.6% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 21.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 21.7% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 21.7% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 21.8% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 21.8% | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 21.9% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 21.7% | -0.9% |
| 2021 | 21.7% | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 21.4% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 21.5% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 21.5% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 21.5% | -0.1% |
Somalia compared with similar countries
- Somalia's 21.5% is below the median for low income countries, which is 61.6%, 35% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Somalia's 21.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 59.0%, 36% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 22.1% | 21.9% | 22.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.6% | 21.3% | 21.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.7% | 21.3% | 21.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.6% | 21.4% | 21.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
- 173 Tajikistan 23.2% compare
- 174 Sao Tome and Principe 22.8% compare
- 175 Morocco 21.5% compare
- 177 Djibouti 20.4% compare
- 178 Palestine, State of 20.1% compare
- 179 Egypt 19.9% compare
More work & labour data for Somalia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4323 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4971 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.7917 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 22,865 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 12,986 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 34,351 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,013 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 67,364 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia?
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia was 21.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Somalia?
- The highest recorded value was 22.3% in 1993.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.3% in 2008.
- How does Somalia rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
- Somalia ranks 176th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Somalia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Somalia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.