Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 was 19.8% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan, 1979–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 19.8% for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in 2021.
The figure is up 19.4% on the previous year and up 32.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan peaked at 36.6% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 9.6%, in 1979.
Afghanistan ranks 150th of 171 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 9.6% | — |
| 2008 | 36.6% | +280.4% |
| 2012 | 14.9% | -59.1% |
| 2014 | 29.2% | +95.3% |
| 2017 | 19.8% | -32.0% |
| 2020 | 16.6% | -16.4% |
| 2021 | 19.8% | +19.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 36.6% | 36.6% | 36.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.3% | 14.9% | 29.2% | 3 |
| 2020s | 18.2% | 16.6% | 19.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4511 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.088 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,498 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 36,430 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,039 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 65,177 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,217 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan?
- Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Afghanistan was 19.8% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 36.6% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.6% in 1979.
- How does Afghanistan rank for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023?
- Afghanistan ranks 150th out of 171 countries with data for 2021.
- Is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed). Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.