Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya
Kenya: Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 was 33.7% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya, 1989–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Kenya recorded 33.7% for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.0% on the previous year and down 22.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya peaked at 56.7% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 33.7%, in 2021.
That places Kenya 89th out of 171 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 56.7% | — |
| 1999 | 51.0% | -9.9% |
| 2005 | 35.1% | -31.3% |
| 2016 | 43.4% | +23.8% |
| 2019 | 35.1% | -19.2% |
| 2021 | 33.7% | -4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 56.7% | 56.7% | 56.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 51.0% | 51.0% | 51.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 35.1% | 35.1% | 35.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 39.3% | 35.1% | 43.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 33.7% | 33.7% | 33.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More work & labour data for Kenya
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0073 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2281 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.98 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 44,185 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 51,282 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 53,727 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 50,468 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 104,196 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya?
- Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Kenya was 33.7% 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 56.7% in 1989.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.7% in 2021.
- How does Kenya rank for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023?
- Kenya ranks 89th 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 Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya 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.