Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 23.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
23.3%
Change on year
up 41.2%
World rank
184th
of 196 countries
All-time high
43.8%
in 2008
All-time low
6.8%
in 1979
Years of data
7
1979–2021

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan, 1979–2021

102030401979200020211979: 6.82008: 43.82012: 162014: 25.82017: 21.22020: 16.52021: 23.3

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

In 2021, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan stood at 23.3%.

That represents a change of up 41.2% on the previous year and up 45.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan peaked at 43.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 6.8%, in 1979.

Afghanistan ranks 184th of 196 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan, year by year

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Afghanistan, 1979 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1979 6.8%
2008 43.8% +541.1%
2012 16.0% -63.4%
2014 25.8% +61.0%
2017 21.2% -17.9%
2020 16.5% -22.1%
2021 23.3% +41.2%

Afghanistan compared with similar countries

  • Afghanistan's 23.3% is below the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 40% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
  • Afghanistan's 23.3% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 26.7%, 87% of the median. (21 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% 1
2000s 43.8% 43.8% 43.8% 1
2010s 21.0% 16.0% 25.8% 3
2020s 19.9% 16.5% 23.3% 2

Countries ranked near Afghanistan

  1. 181 Nepal 27.9% compare
  2. 182 Tunisia 26.7% compare
  3. 183 Egypt 23.8% compare
  4. 185 Kosovo 22.5% compare
  5. 185 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 22.5% compare
  6. 187 Tajikistan 22.5% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Afghanistan

All data for Afghanistan →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan was 23.3% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Afghanistan?
The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 2008.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Afghanistan?
The lowest recorded value was 6.8% in 1979.
How does Afghanistan rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Afghanistan ranks 184th out of 196 countries with data for 2021.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Afghanistan?
Over the last ten years it is up 45.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Afghanistan. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-female-percent-of-female-population-ages-15-national/afghanistan/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 5,454 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.