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

Nepal: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 39.9% in 2017. ▬ Flat

Latest (2017)
39.9%
Change on year
down 51.7%
World rank
192nd
of 199 countries
All-time high
93.0%
in 2003
All-time low
39.9%
in 2017
Years of data
11
1961–2017

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Nepal, 1961–2017

0204060801001961198920171961: 76.41971: 611981: 66.71991: 63.91996: 70.71999: 85.92003: 932008: 80.32013: 81.12015: 82.72017: 39.9

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

Analysis

In 2017, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Nepal stood at 39.9%. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is down 51.7% on the previous year and down 50.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Nepal peaked at 93.0% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 39.9%, in 2017.

Nepal ranks 192nd of 199 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Nepal, 1961 to 2017.
Year Value Change
1961 76.4%
1971 61.0% -20.1%
1981 66.7% +9.4%
1991 63.9% -4.2%
1996 70.7% +10.6%
1999 85.9% +21.4%
2003 93.0% +8.3%
2008 80.3% -13.7%
2013 81.1% +1.0%
2015 82.7% +2.0%
2017 39.9% -51.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 76.4% 76.4% 76.4% 1
1970s 61.0% 61.0% 61.0% 1
1980s 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 1
1990s 73.5% 63.9% 85.9% 3
2000s 86.6% 80.3% 93.0% 2
2010s 67.9% 39.9% 82.7% 3

Countries ranked near Nepal

  1. 189 Algeria 41.8% compare
  2. 190 Jordan 40.8% compare
  3. 191 Iran, Islamic Republic of 40.7% compare
  4. 193 Tajikistan 39.7% compare
  5. 194 Iraq 39.7% compare
  6. 195 Kosovo 37.9% compare
  7. 195 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 37.9% compare

See the full ranking of 232 places →

More work & labour data for Nepal

All data for Nepal →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Nepal?
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Nepal was 39.9% in 2017, 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 Nepal?
The highest recorded value was 93.0% in 2003.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Nepal?
The lowest recorded value was 39.9% in 2017.
How does Nepal rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
Nepal ranks 192nd out of 199 countries with data for 2017.
Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Nepal?
Over the last ten years it is down 50.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Nepal 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 Nepal. 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/nepal/

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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.