Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia
South Asia: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 55.6% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia is 55.6%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia peaked at 59.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 52.1%, in 2020.
South Asia ranks 42nd of 47 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 57.6% | — |
| 1991 | 57.6% | -0.0% |
| 1992 | 57.6% | -0.0% |
| 1993 | 57.6% | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 57.7% | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 57.9% | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 58.2% | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 58.5% | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 58.9% | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 59.2% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 59.5% | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 59.3% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 59.2% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 59.0% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 58.9% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 58.8% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 57.9% | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 57.2% | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 56.4% | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 55.6% | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 54.9% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 54.3% | -1.1% |
| 2012 | 53.7% | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 53.5% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 53.3% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 53.2% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 53.0% | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 53.0% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 52.9% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 52.8% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 52.1% | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 53.1% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 54.1% | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 55.0% | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 55.6% | +1.2% |
| 2025 | 55.6% | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 58.1% | 57.6% | 59.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 58.2% | 55.6% | 59.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 53.5% | 52.8% | 54.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 54.3% | 52.1% | 55.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 39 Congo 67.8% compare
- 40 Kazakhstan 67.8% compare
- 41 Zimbabwe 67.7% compare
- 42 Kenya 67.4% compare
- 43 Netherlands 67.2% compare
- 44 Côte d'Ivoire 67.1% compare
- 45 Mali 67.0% compare
More work & labour data for South Asia
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 77.4% (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)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 42.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 81.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 59.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 35.5% (2025)
- Wage and salaried workers, total (% of total employment) 26.9% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia?
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in South Asia was 55.6% 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 15+) recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 59.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.1% in 2020.
- How does South Asia rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
- South Asia ranks 42nd out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Asia 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+) (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 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.