Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh

Bangladesh: Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) was 48.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
48.0%
Change on year
down 6.7%
World rank
174th
of 196 countries
All-time high
75.6%
in 1989
All-time low
3.8%
in 1974
Years of data
20
1961–2024

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh, 1961–2024

0204060801961199220241961: 19.21974: 3.81981: 5.31984: 8.91985: 9.41986: 111989: 75.61991: 70.81996: 62.92000: 64.12003: 29.82006: 33.62010: 43.52011: 10.62013: 412016: 43.52017: 45.12022: 53.72023: 51.52024: 48

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh is 48.0%, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.7% on the previous year and up 17.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh peaked at 75.6% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 1974.

That places Bangladesh 174th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh, year by year

Annual values for Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (national estimate) in Bangladesh, 1961 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1961 19.2%
1974 3.8% -80.2%
1981 5.3% +39.8%
1984 8.9% +68.1%
1985 9.4% +5.1%
1986 11.0% +16.7%
1989 75.6% +589.5%
1991 70.8% -6.3%
1996 62.9% -11.2%
2000 64.1% +1.8%
2003 29.8% -53.4%
2006 33.6% +12.7%
2010 43.5% +29.3%
2011 10.6% -75.7%
2013 41.0% +288.3%
2016 43.5% +5.9%
2017 45.1% +3.6%
2022 53.7% +19.1%
2023 51.5% -4.1%
2024 48.0% -6.7%

Bangladesh compared with similar countries

  • Bangladesh's 48.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74.2%, 65% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • Bangladesh's 48.0% is below the median for South Asia, which is 49.4%, 97% of the median. (6 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
1989 +589.5% 11.0% 75.6%
2013 +288.3% 10.6% 41.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 19.2% 19.2% 19.2% 1
1970s 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 1
1980s 22.1% 5.3% 75.6% 5
1990s 66.9% 62.9% 70.8% 2
2000s 42.5% 29.8% 64.1% 3
2010s 36.7% 10.6% 45.1% 5
2020s 51.1% 48.0% 53.7% 3

Countries ranked near Bangladesh

  1. 171 Nepal 50.8% compare
  2. 172 Turkey 50.8% compare
  3. 173 Bahrain 50.1% compare
  4. 175 Mauritania 46.5% compare
  5. 176 Oman 46.1% compare
  6. 177 Sri Lanka 44.2% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Bangladesh

All data for Bangladesh →

Frequently asked questions

What is ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh?
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh was 48.0% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) recorded in Bangladesh?
The highest recorded value was 75.6% in 1989.
What is the lowest ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) recorded in Bangladesh?
The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 1974.
How does Bangladesh rank for ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%)?
Bangladesh ranks 174th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
Is ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) rising or falling in Bangladesh?
Over the last ten years it is up 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Bangladesh data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in Bangladesh. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/ratio-of-female-to-male-labor-force-participation-rate-percent-national-estimate/bangladesh/

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About this data

Indicator
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 5,351 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is the proportion of female labor force participation relative to male labor force participation. The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.