Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 was 27.4% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica, 1963–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica is 27.4%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 12.5% on the previous year and down 26.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica peaked at 40.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 21.7%, in 1963.
Costa Rica ranks 122nd of 171 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 39 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 21.7% | — |
| 1973 | 23.2% | +6.8% |
| 1984 | 22.0% | -5.4% |
| 1990 | 34.8% | +58.4% |
| 1991 | 35.7% | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 33.7% | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 34.5% | +2.3% |
| 1994 | 34.8% | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 35.4% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 31.3% | -11.6% |
| 1997 | 33.7% | +7.5% |
| 1998 | 38.2% | +13.4% |
| 1999 | 37.2% | -2.4% |
| 2000 | 35.2% | -5.5% |
| 2001 | 37.2% | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 35.7% | -4.1% |
| 2003 | 36.2% | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 33.0% | -8.7% |
| 2005 | 36.8% | +11.4% |
| 2006 | 37.1% | +0.8% |
| 2007 | 39.2% | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 38.6% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 36.7% | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 34.2% | -6.9% |
| 2011 | 33.9% | -1.0% |
| 2012 | 38.7% | +14.4% |
| 2013 | 39.8% | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 38.1% | -4.3% |
| 2015 | 37.3% | -2.3% |
| 2016 | 32.4% | -12.9% |
| 2017 | 32.7% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 35.4% | +8.2% |
| 2019 | 38.2% | +8.0% |
| 2020 | 37.4% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 40.5% | +8.3% |
| 2022 | 36.7% | -9.4% |
| 2023 | 32.7% | -10.9% |
| 2024 | 31.3% | -4.3% |
| 2025 | 27.4% | -12.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 21.7% | 21.7% | 21.7% | 1 |
| 1970s | 23.2% | 23.2% | 23.2% | 1 |
| 1980s | 22.0% | 22.0% | 22.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 34.9% | 31.3% | 38.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 36.6% | 33.0% | 39.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 36.1% | 32.4% | 39.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.3% | 27.4% | 40.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More work & labour data for Costa Rica
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.9965 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.9952 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.9977 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.61 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,205 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 569.35 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,908 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,868 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,776 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica?
- Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Costa Rica was 27.4% in 2025, 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 Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 40.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.7% in 1963.
- How does Costa Rica rank for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023?
- Costa Rica ranks 122nd out of 171 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Costa Rica 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.