Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 35.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) recorded 35.5% for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in 2025.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 22.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) peaked at 35.8% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 29.0%, in 2014.
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 42nd of 47 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 31.1% | — |
| 1991 | 31.2% | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 31.3% | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 31.5% | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 31.6% | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 32.2% | +1.8% |
| 1996 | 32.8% | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 33.4% | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 34.2% | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 34.7% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 35.3% | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 35.4% | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 35.5% | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 35.6% | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 35.7% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 35.8% | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 34.6% | -3.4% |
| 2007 | 33.6% | -2.9% |
| 2008 | 32.6% | -2.9% |
| 2009 | 31.7% | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 30.8% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 30.0% | -2.7% |
| 2012 | 29.1% | -2.7% |
| 2013 | 29.0% | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 29.0% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 29.1% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 29.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 29.5% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 29.7% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 29.9% | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 29.5% | -1.1% |
| 2021 | 31.4% | +6.2% |
| 2022 | 33.1% | +5.5% |
| 2023 | 34.4% | +4.0% |
| 2024 | 35.4% | +3.0% |
| 2025 | 35.5% | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.4% | 31.1% | 34.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 34.6% | 31.7% | 35.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 29.5% | 29.0% | 30.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.2% | 29.5% | 35.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
More work & labour data for South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 77.4% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 42.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 59.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 81.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 19.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 45.4% (2025)
- Wage and salaried workers, male (% of male employment) 28.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) was 35.5% 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 South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- The highest recorded value was 35.8% in 2005.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.0% in 2014.
- How does South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
- South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 42nd out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Asia (IDA & IBRD) 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.