Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi
Malawi: Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 was 34.0% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi, 1975–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi stood at 34.0%. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 46.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi peaked at 81.8% in 1983 and was at its lowest, 34.0%, in 2024.
That places Malawi 85th out of 171 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 51.9% | — |
| 1983 | 81.8% | +57.8% |
| 1987 | 61.0% | -25.4% |
| 1998 | 58.6% | -4.0% |
| 2004 | 81.8% | +39.5% |
| 2005 | 67.7% | -17.3% |
| 2011 | 58.2% | -14.0% |
| 2013 | 63.3% | +8.8% |
| 2017 | 46.4% | -26.7% |
| 2020 | 53.0% | +14.2% |
| 2024 | 34.0% | -35.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 51.9% | 51.9% | 51.9% | 1 |
| 1980s | 71.4% | 61.0% | 81.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 58.6% | 58.6% | 58.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 74.7% | 67.7% | 81.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 56.0% | 46.4% | 63.3% | 3 |
| 2020s | 43.5% | 34.0% | 53.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More work & labour data for Malawi
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4409 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4183 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 1.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 4.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,360 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 28,345 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 30,321 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 28,820 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 59,141 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi?
- Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Malawi was 34.0% in 2024, 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 81.8% in 1983.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.0% in 2024.
- How does Malawi rank for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023?
- Malawi ranks 85th out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi 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.