Labor force participation rate in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Labor force participation rate was 68.5% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in Ethiopia, 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 Ethiopia is 68.5%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 12.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Ethiopia peaked at 82.1% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 68.3%, in 2021.
That places Ethiopia 33rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 81.9% | 81.8% | 82.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 81.9% | 81.6% | 82.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 77.9% | 71.6% | 81.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 68.6% | 68.3% | 69.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More work & labour data for Ethiopia
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (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+) 68.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 78.6% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 74.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 58.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 69.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 79.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 60.3% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Ethiopia?
- Labor force participation rate in Ethiopia was 68.5% 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 Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 82.1% in 2001.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 68.3% in 2021.
- How does Ethiopia rank for labor force participation rate?
- Ethiopia ranks 33rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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).