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

Ethiopia: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 68.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
68.3%
World rank
48th
of 199 countries
All-time high
82.0%
in 2005
All-time low
51.6%
in 1981
Years of data
7
1981–2021

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Ethiopia, 1981–2021

0204060801981200120211981: 51.61987: 57.91994: 77.91999: 66.62005: 822013: 81.22021: 68.3

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Ethiopia is 68.3%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 16.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Ethiopia peaked at 82.0% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 51.6%, in 1981.

That places Ethiopia 48th out of 199 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Ethiopia, 1981 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1981 51.6%
1987 57.9% +12.2%
1994 77.9% +34.6%
1999 66.6% -14.5%
2005 82.0% +23.1%
2013 81.2% -1.0%
2021 68.3% -16.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 54.7% 51.6% 57.9% 2
1990s 72.3% 66.6% 77.9% 2
2000s 82.0% 82.0% 82.0% 1
2010s 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 1
2020s 68.3% 68.3% 68.3% 1

Countries ranked near Ethiopia

  1. 46 Kenya 68.7% compare
  2. 47 Gibraltar 68.4% compare
  3. 49 Burkina Faso 68.1% compare
  4. 50 Indonesia 67.9% compare
  5. 51 Singapore 67.9% compare

See the full ranking of 232 places →

More work & labour data for Ethiopia

All data for Ethiopia →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Ethiopia?
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Ethiopia was 68.3% in 2021, 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 Ethiopia?
The highest recorded value was 82.0% in 2005.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Ethiopia?
The lowest recorded value was 51.6% in 1981.
How does Ethiopia rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
Ethiopia ranks 48th out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Ethiopia?
Over the last ten years it is down 16.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-total-percent-of-total-population-ages-15-national-estimate/ethiopia/

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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.