Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini

Eswatini: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 51.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling

Latest (2023)
51.0%
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
169th
of 199 countries
All-time high
65.8%
in 1966
All-time low
40.1%
in 1997
Years of data
7
1966–2023

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini, 1966–2023

02040601966199420231966: 65.81976: 41.91986: 44.21997: 40.12016: 51.12021: 49.42023: 51

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

Analysis

Eswatini recorded 51.0% for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.2% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini peaked at 65.8% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 40.1%, in 1997.

That places Eswatini 169th out of 199 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini, year by year

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Eswatini, 1966 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1966 65.8%
1976 41.9% -36.3%
1986 44.2% +5.4%
1997 40.1% -9.3%
2016 51.1% +27.6%
2021 49.4% -3.4%
2023 51.0% +3.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 65.8% 65.8% 65.8% 1
1970s 41.9% 41.9% 41.9% 1
1980s 44.2% 44.2% 44.2% 1
1990s 40.1% 40.1% 40.1% 1
2010s 51.1% 51.1% 51.1% 1
2020s 50.2% 49.4% 51.0% 2

Countries ranked near Eswatini

  1. 166 Romania 51.4% compare
  2. 167 Gambia 51.3% compare
  3. 168 Guyana 51.2% compare
  4. 170 Italy 49.9% compare
  5. 171 Afghanistan 49.7% compare
  6. 172 Malawi 49.6% compare

See the full ranking of 232 places →

More work & labour data for Eswatini

All data for Eswatini →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini?
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini was 51.0% in 2023, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Eswatini?
The highest recorded value was 65.8% in 1966.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Eswatini?
The lowest recorded value was 40.1% in 1997.
How does Eswatini rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
Eswatini ranks 169th out of 199 countries with data for 2023.
Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Eswatini?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Eswatini data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Eswatini. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-total-percent-of-total-population-ages-15-national-estimate/eswatini/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total 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
232 places, 5,713 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.