Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia
South Asia: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 34.0% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia, 1961–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
South Asia recorded 34.0% for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.1% on the previous year and up 24.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia peaked at 40.1% in 1961 and was at its lowest, 19.3%, in 1971.
South Asia ranks 19th of 24 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 40.1% | — |
| 1971 | 19.3% | -51.9% |
| 1981 | 30.0% | +55.6% |
| 1991 | 37.1% | +23.5% |
| 1994 | 31.0% | -16.3% |
| 2000 | 33.5% | +8.2% |
| 2001 | 37.6% | +12.0% |
| 2005 | 37.1% | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 29.7% | -19.9% |
| 2012 | 27.4% | -7.9% |
| 2018 | 21.0% | -23.3% |
| 2019 | 24.2% | +15.5% |
| 2020 | 26.3% | +8.4% |
| 2021 | 27.1% | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 29.9% | +10.3% |
| 2023 | 35.7% | +19.4% |
| 2024 | 34.8% | -2.7% |
| 2025 | 34.0% | -2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 40.1% | 40.1% | 40.1% | 1 |
| 1970s | 19.3% | 19.3% | 19.3% | 1 |
| 1980s | 30.0% | 30.0% | 30.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 34.0% | 31.0% | 37.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 36.1% | 33.5% | 37.6% | 3 |
| 2010s | 25.6% | 21.0% | 29.7% | 4 |
| 2020s | 31.3% | 26.3% | 35.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 16 Bahamas 72.1% compare
- 17 Iceland 72.0% compare
- 18 Greenland 71.5% compare
- 19 San Marino 70.4% compare
- 20 Republic of Moldova 69.9% compare
- 21 Antigua and Barbuda 69.1% compare
- 22 Togo 69.1% compare
More work & labour data for South Asia
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 19.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 45.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 35.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 59.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 81.2% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 42.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 77.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia?
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in South Asia was 34.0% in 2025, 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 South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 40.1% in 1961.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.3% in 1971.
- How does South Asia rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
- South Asia ranks 19th out of 24 groups with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Asia 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.