Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World
Arab World: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) was 48.7% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Arab World recorded 48.7% for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World peaked at 49.9% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 46.1%, in 2020.
Arab World ranks 45th of 47 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 49.1% | — |
| 1991 | 49.2% | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 49.4% | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 49.6% | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 49.9% | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 49.6% | -0.6% |
| 1996 | 49.4% | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 49.2% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 49.0% | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 49.4% | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 49.1% | -0.7% |
| 2001 | 48.6% | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 47.9% | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 48.0% | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 48.2% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 48.4% | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 48.6% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 48.9% | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 48.9% | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 49.0% | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 49.5% | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 49.5% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 49.3% | -0.6% |
| 2013 | 49.4% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 49.4% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 48.9% | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 48.9% | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 48.1% | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 47.6% | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 47.3% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 46.1% | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 46.3% | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 47.0% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 48.7% | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 48.7% | -0.0% |
| 2025 | 48.7% | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 49.4% | 49.0% | 49.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 48.6% | 47.9% | 49.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 48.8% | 47.3% | 49.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 47.6% | 46.1% | 48.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Arab World
More work & labour data for Arab World
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 25.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 20.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 73.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 19.0% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 30.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 70.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 46.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 10.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 39.3% (2025)
- Employment in industry, female (% of female employment) 12.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World?
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Arab World was 48.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) recorded in Arab World?
- The highest recorded value was 49.9% in 1994.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) recorded in Arab World?
- The lowest recorded value was 46.1% in 2020.
- How does Arab World rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages)?
- Arab World ranks 45th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) rising or falling in Arab World?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Arab World data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO 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 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.