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

Ethiopia: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 57.6% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
57.6%
World rank
72nd
of 196 countries
All-time high
74.8%
in 2005
All-time low
28.4%
in 1981
Years of data
7
1981–2021

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Ethiopia, 1981–2021

0204060801981200120211981: 28.41987: 46.81994: 66.51999: 54.52005: 74.82013: 74.32021: 57.6

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 Ethiopia is 57.6%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 22.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Ethiopia peaked at 74.8% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 28.4%, in 1981.

That places Ethiopia 72nd out of 196 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Ethiopia, 1981 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1981 28.4%
1987 46.8% +64.7%
1994 66.5% +42.2%
1999 54.5% -18.1%
2005 74.8% +37.3%
2013 74.3% -0.7%
2021 57.6% -22.5%

Ethiopia compared with similar countries

  • Ethiopia's 57.6% is above the median for low income countries, which is 57.6%, 1.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)
  • Ethiopia's 57.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 1.0× the median. (41 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 37.6% 28.4% 46.8% 2
1990s 60.5% 54.5% 66.5% 2
2000s 74.8% 74.8% 74.8% 1
2010s 74.3% 74.3% 74.3% 1
2020s 57.6% 57.6% 57.6% 1

Countries ranked near Ethiopia

  1. 69 Grenada 57.9% compare
  2. 70 Finland 57.7% compare
  3. 71 Cameroon 57.7% compare
  4. 73 Gibraltar 57.5% compare
  5. 74 Lesotho 57.5% compare
  6. 75 Zambia 57.4% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Ethiopia

All data for Ethiopia →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Ethiopia?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Ethiopia was 57.6% 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 Ethiopia?
The highest recorded value was 74.8% in 2005.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Ethiopia?
The lowest recorded value was 28.4% in 1981.
How does Ethiopia rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Ethiopia ranks 72nd out of 196 countries with data for 2021.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Ethiopia?
Over the last ten years it is down 22.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-female-percent-of-female-population-ages-15-national/ethiopia/

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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.