Labor force participation rate in Myanmar
Myanmar: Labor force participation rate was 55.1% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in Myanmar, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in Myanmar is 55.1%, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 14.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Myanmar peaked at 68.3% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 55.1%, in 2025.
Myanmar ranks 138th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate in Myanmar, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 68.2% | — |
| 1991 | 68.3% | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 68.1% | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 68.1% | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 68.0% | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 67.9% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 67.8% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 67.8% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 67.7% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 67.5% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 67.3% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 67.2% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 67.0% | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 66.8% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 66.6% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 66.3% | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 66.1% | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 65.9% | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 65.7% | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 65.5% | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 65.4% | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 65.3% | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 65.1% | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 65.0% | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 64.8% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 64.7% | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 63.4% | -2.1% |
| 2017 | 62.0% | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 62.4% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 60.5% | -3.0% |
| 2020 | 60.2% | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 55.2% | -8.2% |
| 2022 | 55.2% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 55.2% | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 55.1% | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 55.1% | -0.1% |
Myanmar compared with similar countries
- Myanmar's 55.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 57.7%, 96% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Myanmar's 55.1% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 64.4%, 86% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 67.9% | 67.5% | 68.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 66.5% | 65.5% | 67.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 63.9% | 60.5% | 65.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.0% | 55.1% | 60.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Myanmar
More work & labour data for Myanmar
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.5005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4735 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5269 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.46 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 29,392 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 32,967 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 25,258 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 24,401 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 49,659 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Myanmar?
- Labor force participation rate in Myanmar was 55.1% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in Myanmar?
- The highest recorded value was 68.3% in 1991.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Myanmar?
- The lowest recorded value was 55.1% in 2025.
- How does Myanmar rank for labor force participation rate?
- Myanmar ranks 138th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Myanmar?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Myanmar data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).