Labor force participation rate in Somalia
Somalia: Labor force participation rate was 33.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in Somalia, 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 Somalia is 33.8%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 0.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Somalia peaked at 34.5% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 33.7%, in 2020.
That places Somalia 183rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 34.0% | 33.8% | 34.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 34.3% | 34.1% | 34.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.2% | 34.0% | 34.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.8% | 33.7% | 33.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
More work & labour data for Somalia
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 0 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 0 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 33.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 47.2% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 43.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 20.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 34.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 48.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 21.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Somalia?
- Labor force participation rate in Somalia was 33.8% 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 Somalia?
- The highest recorded value was 34.5% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.7% in 2020.
- How does Somalia rank for labor force participation rate?
- Somalia ranks 183rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Somalia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Somalia 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).