Afghanistan Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Afghanistan's female labor participation was 5.09% in 2025, ranked 180th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Afghanistan's female labor participation stood at 5.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.30% by 2026. Afghanistan ranked 180th globally.
Afghanistan's female labor participation rate has been on a declining trend, with the latest value standing at 5.09% in 2025, ranking 180th globally. This is a significant drop from its all-time peak of 21.24% in 2017. Compared to its peer countries, Afghanistan's rate is lower than Iraq's 10.94% and only slightly higher than Yemen's 4.66%. The country's female labor participation rate has been declining over the 36 years of available data, with the earliest recorded rate being 15.74% in 1990. The current trough of 5.09% in 2025 is a concerning indicator of the challenges faced by women in the workforce. To change the trajectory of this trend, significant improvements in education and employment opportunities, as well as policies supporting women's participation in the labor market, would be necessary.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | -2.52% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | -0.61% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.30% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.09% | −0.04pp | #180 |
| 2024 | 5.12% | −0.02pp | #180 |
| 2023 | 5.15% | −0.01pp | #182 |
| 2022 | 5.16% | −9.46pp | #184 |
| 2021 | 14.62% | −1.86pp | #180 |
| 2020 | 16.47% | −1.82pp | #178 |
| 2019 | 18.30% | −1.51pp | #179 |
| 2018 | 19.81% | −1.44pp | #176 |
| 2017 | 21.24% | +1.08pp | #175 |
| 2016 | 20.16% | +1.04pp | #178 |
| 2015 | 19.11% | +1.01pp | #178 |
| 2014 | 18.11% | +0.97pp | #178 |
| 2013 | 17.14% | +0.93pp | #179 |
| 2012 | 16.21% | +0.31pp | #179 |
| 2011 | 15.89% | +0.32pp | #179 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Afghanistan matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2022. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Afghanistan's female labor participation was 5.09% in 2025. Ranked 180th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Afghanistan's female labor participation peaked at 21.24% in 2017.
The lowest female labor participation in Afghanistan was 5.09% in 2025.
Afghanistan ranks 180th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Afghanistan's female labor participation is projected to reach 1.30% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Afghanistan in 2025 was 5.09%. This ranks 180th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_afghanistan_female-labor-participation,
title = {Afghanistan Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/afghanistan/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}