Labor force participation rate in Nepal
Nepal: Labor force participation rate was 39.2% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in Nepal, 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 Nepal is 39.2%, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Nepal peaked at 41.6% in 1992 and was at its lowest, 39.2%, in 2025.
Nepal ranks 178th of 186 countries 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 in Nepal, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 41.6% | — |
| 1991 | 41.5% | -0.0% |
| 1992 | 41.6% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 41.6% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 41.5% | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 41.5% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 41.5% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 41.4% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 41.4% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 41.4% | -0.0% |
| 2000 | 41.4% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 41.3% | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 41.3% | -0.0% |
| 2003 | 41.3% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 41.3% | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 41.2% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 41.2% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 41.1% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 41.0% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 41.0% | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 40.9% | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 40.8% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 40.7% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 40.5% | -0.5% |
| 2014 | 40.3% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 40.2% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 40.1% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 39.9% | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 39.7% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 39.8% | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 39.4% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | 39.5% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 39.4% | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 39.4% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 39.3% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 39.2% | -0.2% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 39.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 57.7%, 68% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 39.2% is below the median for South Asia, which is 57.2%, 69% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 41.5% | 41.4% | 41.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 41.2% | 41.0% | 41.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.3% | 39.7% | 40.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.4% | 39.2% | 39.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
- 175 Algeria 40.8% compare
- 176 Mauritania 40.8% compare
- 177 Jordan 40.1% compare
- 179 Tajikistan 38.3% compare
- 180 Sudan 37.5% compare
- 181 Afghanistan 37.5% compare
More work & labour data for Nepal
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.593 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.568 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.6174 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.8524 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,496 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 22,611 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 16,146 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 15,685 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 31,831 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Nepal?
- Labor force participation rate in Nepal was 39.2% 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 Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 41.6% in 1992.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.2% in 2025.
- How does Nepal rank for labor force participation rate?
- Nepal ranks 178th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nepal 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).