Labor force participation rate in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Labor force participation rate was 58.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in Bangladesh, 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 Bangladesh is 58.8%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and up 4.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Bangladesh peaked at 61.9% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 56.1%, in 2016.
Bangladesh ranks 113th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57.4% | 56.8% | 58.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 58.2% | 58.1% | 58.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 57.8% | 56.1% | 59.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 60.2% | 58.8% | 61.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bangladesh
More work & labour data for Bangladesh
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (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+) 58.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 80.4% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 48.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 38.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 61.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 82.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 41.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Bangladesh?
- Labor force participation rate in Bangladesh was 58.8% 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 Bangladesh?
- The highest recorded value was 61.9% in 2022.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Bangladesh?
- The lowest recorded value was 56.1% in 2016.
- How does Bangladesh rank for labor force participation rate?
- Bangladesh ranks 113th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Bangladesh?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Bangladesh 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).