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

Kenya: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 64.1% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
64.1%
Change on year
up 1.9%
World rank
35th
of 196 countries
All-time high
71.5%
in 2009
All-time low
56.6%
in 2005
Years of data
7
1989–2021

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Kenya, 1989–2021

0204060801989200520211989: 70.81999: 70.42005: 56.62009: 71.52016: 71.52019: 62.92021: 64.1

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

Analysis

In 2021, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Kenya stood at 64.1%.

That represents a change of up 1.9% on the previous year and down 10.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Kenya peaked at 71.5% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 56.6%, in 2005.

Kenya ranks 35th of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Kenya, 1989 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1989 70.8%
1999 70.4% -0.5%
2005 56.6% -19.6%
2009 71.5% +26.4%
2016 71.5% -0.1%
2019 62.9% -12.0%
2021 64.1% +1.9%

Kenya compared with similar countries

  • Kenya's 64.1% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 1.3× the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • Kenya's 64.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 57.6%, 1.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 70.8% 70.8% 70.8% 1
1990s 70.4% 70.4% 70.4% 1
2000s 64.1% 56.6% 71.5% 2
2010s 67.2% 62.9% 71.5% 2
2020s 64.1% 64.1% 64.1% 1

Countries ranked near Kenya

  1. 32 Saint Kitts and Nevis 64.4% compare
  2. 33 Ghana 64.4% compare
  3. 34 Netherlands 64.4% compare
  4. 36 Sierra Leone 63.9% compare
  5. 37 Peru 63.7% compare
  6. 38 Qatar 63.5% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Kenya

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Kenya?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Kenya was 64.1% 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 Kenya?
The highest recorded value was 71.5% in 2009.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Kenya?
The lowest recorded value was 56.6% in 2005.
How does Kenya rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Kenya ranks 35th out of 196 countries with data for 2021.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Kenya?
Over the last ten years it is down 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Kenya 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 Kenya. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-female-percent-of-female-population-ages-15-national/kenya/

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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.