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

Malawi: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 44.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling

Latest (2024)
44.8%
World rank
146th
of 196 countries
All-time high
88.1%
in 2004
All-time low
44.8%
in 2024
Years of data
11
1975–2024

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Malawi, 1975–2024

0204060801975199920241975: 62.11983: 86.21987: 75.31998: 75.52004: 88.12005: 78.12011: 68.72013: 72.82017: 58.92020: 63.22024: 44.8

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

Analysis

In 2024, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Malawi stood at 44.8%. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is down 38.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Malawi peaked at 88.1% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 44.8%, in 2024.

That places Malawi 146th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Malawi, 1975 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1975 62.1%
1983 86.2% +38.8%
1987 75.3% -12.6%
1998 75.5% +0.2%
2004 88.1% +16.7%
2005 78.1% -11.4%
2011 68.7% -12.0%
2013 72.8% +5.9%
2017 58.9% -19.1%
2020 63.2% +7.4%
2024 44.8% -29.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 62.1% 62.1% 62.1% 1
1980s 80.8% 75.3% 86.2% 2
1990s 75.5% 75.5% 75.5% 1
2000s 83.1% 78.1% 88.1% 2
2010s 66.8% 58.9% 72.8% 3
2020s 54.0% 44.8% 63.2% 2

Countries ranked near Malawi

  1. 143 Mali 45.5% compare
  2. 144 Suriname 45.3% compare
  3. 145 Dominica 45.1% compare
  4. 147 Costa Rica 44.1% compare
  5. 148 Liberia 43.6% compare
  6. 149 Bahrain 43.5% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Malawi?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Malawi was 44.8% 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 Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 88.1% in 2004.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was 44.8% in 2024.
How does Malawi rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Malawi ranks 146th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Malawi?
Over the last ten years it is down 38.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Malawi 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 Malawi. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-female-percent-of-female-population-ages-15-national/malawi/

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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.