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

Nepal: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 27.9% in 2017. ▲ Rising

Latest (2017)
27.9%
Change on year
down 65.0%
World rank
181st
of 196 countries
All-time high
94.0%
in 2003
All-time low
27.9%
in 2017
Years of data
12
1961–2017

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Nepal, 1961–2017

204060801001961198920171961: 59.61971: 34.31981: 45.21991: 48.71996: 66.51999: 81.92003: 942008: 78.62013: 77.52014: 79.72015: 79.82017: 27.9

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 Nepal is 27.9%, measured in 2017. That is the lowest value across all 12 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 65.0% on the previous year and down 64.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Nepal peaked at 94.0% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 27.9%, in 2017.

That places Nepal 181st out of 196 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Nepal, 1961 to 2017.
Year Value Change
1961 59.6%
1971 34.3% -42.5%
1981 45.2% +31.8%
1991 48.7% +7.9%
1996 66.5% +36.5%
1999 81.9% +23.1%
2003 94.0% +14.8%
2008 78.6% -16.4%
2013 77.5% -1.4%
2014 79.7% +2.8%
2015 79.8% +0.1%
2017 27.9% -65.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 59.6% 59.6% 59.6% 1
1970s 34.3% 34.3% 34.3% 1
1980s 45.2% 45.2% 45.2% 1
1990s 65.7% 48.7% 81.9% 3
2000s 86.3% 78.6% 94.0% 2
2010s 66.2% 27.9% 79.8% 4

Countries ranked near Nepal

  1. 178 Sri Lanka 29.8% compare
  2. 179 Lebanon 29.4% compare
  3. 180 Pakistan 28.2% compare
  4. 182 Tunisia 26.7% compare
  5. 183 Egypt 23.8% compare
  6. 184 Afghanistan 23.3% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Nepal

All data for Nepal →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Nepal?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Nepal was 27.9% in 2017, 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 Nepal?
The highest recorded value was 94.0% in 2003.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Nepal?
The lowest recorded value was 27.9% in 2017.
How does Nepal rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Nepal ranks 181st out of 196 countries with data for 2017.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Nepal?
Over the last ten years it is down 64.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nepal 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 Nepal. 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/nepal/

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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.