Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 38.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh, 1961–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh is 38.4%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 7.5% on the previous year and up 14.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh peaked at 67.4% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 1974.
That places Bangladesh 167th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 10.8% | — |
| 1974 | 3.4% | -68.1% |
| 1981 | 4.5% | +30.4% |
| 1984 | 7.9% | +77.2% |
| 1985 | 8.3% | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 9.7% | +16.7% |
| 1989 | 67.4% | +593.3% |
| 1991 | 62.6% | -7.2% |
| 1996 | 55.9% | -10.7% |
| 2000 | 55.9% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 26.1% | -53.3% |
| 2006 | 29.0% | +11.2% |
| 2010 | 35.5% | +22.4% |
| 2011 | 8.7% | -75.5% |
| 2013 | 33.6% | +286.6% |
| 2016 | 35.6% | +6.1% |
| 2017 | 36.3% | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 43.4% | +19.3% |
| 2023 | 41.5% | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 38.4% | -7.5% |
Bangladesh compared with similar countries
- Bangladesh's 38.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 81% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Bangladesh's 38.4% is above the median for South Asia, which is 36.2%, 1.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | +593.3% | 9.7% | 67.4% |
| 2013 | +286.6% | 8.7% | 33.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 10.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 1 |
| 1970s | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1 |
| 1980s | 19.6% | 4.5% | 67.4% | 5 |
| 1990s | 59.2% | 55.9% | 62.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 37.0% | 26.1% | 55.9% | 3 |
| 2010s | 29.9% | 8.7% | 36.3% | 5 |
| 2020s | 41.1% | 38.4% | 43.4% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Bangladesh
More work & labour data for Bangladesh
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.4985 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4763 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5215 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.28 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 117,837 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 84,090 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 104,333 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 104,263 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 208,597 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh?
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Bangladesh was 38.4% in 2024, 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 Bangladesh?
- The highest recorded value was 67.4% in 1989.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Bangladesh?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 1974.
- How does Bangladesh rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
- Bangladesh ranks 167th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Bangladesh?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bangladesh 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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About this data
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.