Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia
Somalia: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 20.7% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
20.7%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
175th
of 187 countries
All-time high
21.4%
in 1993
All-time low
20.6%
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 20.7%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and down 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Somalia peaked at 21.4% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 20.6%, in 2008.
Somalia ranks 175th 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 | 21.2% | — |
| 1991 | 21.2% | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 21.4% | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 21.4% | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 21.4% | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 21.3% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 21.3% | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 21.2% | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 21.2% | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 21.1% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 21.1% | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 21.0% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 21.0% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 21.0% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 20.9% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 20.8% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 20.7% | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 20.6% | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 20.6% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 20.6% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 20.6% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 20.7% | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 20.9% | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 20.9% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 20.9% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 20.9% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 21.0% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 21.0% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 21.1% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 21.1% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 20.9% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | 20.9% | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 20.7% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 20.7% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 20.7% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 20.7% | -0.1% |
Somalia compared with similar countries
- Somalia's 20.7% is below the median for low income countries, which is 60.3%, 34% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Somalia's 20.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.3%, 36% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.3% | 21.1% | 21.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.8% | 20.6% | 21.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.9% | 20.6% | 21.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.8% | 20.7% | 20.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
- 172 Sao Tome and Principe 22.7% compare
- 173 Lebanon 22.2% compare
- 174 Tajikistan 21.9% compare
- 176 Morocco 19.7% compare
- 177 Djibouti 19.4% compare
- 178 Palestine, State of 18.9% 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 20.7% 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 21.4% in 1993.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.6% in 2008.
- How does Somalia rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
- Somalia ranks 175th 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 1.2%. 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+) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.