World - Labor force, female (% of total labor force)

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in World was 39.23 as of 2021. Its highest value over the past 31 years was 39.70 in 2005, while its lowest value was 39.14 in 2012.

Definition: Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

Source: Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database and World Bank population estimates. Labor data retrieved in September 2019.

See also:

Year Value
1990 39.23
1991 39.27
1992 39.32
1993 39.32
1994 39.42
1995 39.45
1996 39.48
1997 39.52
1998 39.56
1999 39.63
2000 39.66
2001 39.65
2002 39.64
2003 39.67
2004 39.66
2005 39.70
2006 39.61
2007 39.57
2008 39.46
2009 39.41
2010 39.29
2011 39.21
2012 39.14
2013 39.15
2014 39.18
2015 39.23
2016 39.28
2017 39.33
2018 39.35
2019 39.46
2020 39.17
2021 39.23

Statistical Concept and Methodology: The labor force is the supply of labor available for producing goods and services in an economy. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave. Data are generated with World Bank population estimates and ILO estimates on labor force participation rate. The ILO estimates are harmonized to ensure comparability across countries and over time by accounting for differences in data source, scope of coverage, methodology, and other country-specific factors. The estimates are based mainly on nationally representative labor force surveys, with other sources (population censuses and nationally reported estimates) used only when no survey data are available.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

General Comments: Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Classification

Topic: Labor & Social Protection Indicators

Sub-Topic: Labor force structure