Bahrain Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Bahrain's female labor participation was 42.29% in 2025, ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Bahrain's female labor participation stood at 42.29% in 2025, a decline of +0.11pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 42.82% by 2026. Bahrain ranked 142nd globally.
Bahrain’s female labor participation has risen steadily since the early 1990s, climbing from a trough of 29.12 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 43.59 % in 2010, before settling at 42.29 % in 2025, which places the kingdom at 142nd in the global ranking. Over the 36‑year coverage period the indicator reflects a gradual but persistent expansion of women’s involvement in the labour market, driven by policy reforms and diversification away from oil‑dominated employment. Bahrain’s 2025 rate is closely aligned with peer nations such as Tonga (42.35 %) and Romania (41.81 %), underscoring a regional convergence toward higher female participation levels. Despite the modest decline from the 2010 peak, the trajectory remains upward compared with the early‑1990s baseline, suggesting that continued investment in education, childcare support, and private‑sector incentives could sustain or even accelerate the rise in women’s labour force attachment in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 43.30% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 43.06% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 42.82% | - | - |
| 2025 | 42.29% | −0.11pp | #142 |
| 2024 | 42.41% | +0.02pp | #142 |
| 2023 | 42.38% | +0.18pp | #142 |
| 2022 | 42.21% | +1.01pp | #146 |
| 2021 | 41.20% | +0.15pp | #146 |
| 2020 | 41.05% | −1.47pp | #147 |
| 2019 | 42.52% | −0.69pp | #146 |
| 2018 | 43.21% | −0.37pp | #144 |
| 2017 | 43.58% | +0.04pp | #142 |
| 2016 | 43.54% | +0.17pp | #143 |
| 2015 | 43.37% | +0.27pp | #141 |
| 2014 | 43.10% | +0.14pp | #143 |
| 2013 | 42.95% | +0.15pp | #142 |
| 2012 | 42.81% | +0.23pp | #141 |
| 2011 | 42.58% | −1.01pp | #140 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bahrain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bahrain's female labor participation was 42.29% in 2025. Ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Bahrain's female labor participation peaked at 43.59% in 2010.
The lowest female labor participation in Bahrain was 29.12% in 1991.
Bahrain ranks 142nd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bahrain's female labor participation is projected to reach 42.82% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Bahrain in 2025 was 42.29%. This ranks 142nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bahrain_female-labor-participation,
title = {Bahrain Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bahrain/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}