Bangladesh Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Bangladesh's female labor participation was 38.65% in 2025, ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's female labor participation stood at 38.65% in 2025, a decline of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 37.41% by 2026. Bangladesh ranked 152nd globally.
Bangladesh’s female labor participation rate rose from a trough of 24.21 % in 1990 to an all‑time peak of 43.69 % in 2022, reflecting a gradual but persistent expansion of women’s entry into the workforce over 36 years. By 2025 the share had slipped slightly to 38.65 %, placing Bangladesh at 152nd in the world and just below peers such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (39.24 %) and Fiji (38.45 %). The modest decline from the 2022 high coincides with a slowdown in formal sector hiring and the lingering impact of pandemic‑related disruptions, which have constrained demand for low‑skill labor where women are disproportionately represented. Nevertheless, the long‑run trajectory remains upward, driven by rising secondary education enrolment for girls and targeted government programmes promoting women’s entrepreneurship. Continued investment in skill development and childcare support could sustain the gains and potentially reverse the recent dip, keeping Bangladesh on a path toward higher female labor participation.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 35.00% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 36.20% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 37.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 38.65% | −0.06pp | #152 |
| 2024 | 38.71% | −3.17pp | #152 |
| 2023 | 41.87% | −1.81pp | #146 |
| 2022 | 43.69% | +1.51pp | #138 |
| 2021 | 42.18% | +1.86pp | #143 |
| 2020 | 40.32% | +0.99pp | #148 |
| 2019 | 39.33% | +1.27pp | #153 |
| 2018 | 38.06% | +1.38pp | #158 |
| 2017 | 36.68% | +3.18pp | #158 |
| 2016 | 33.50% | −0.03pp | #161 |
| 2015 | 33.53% | −0.04pp | #161 |
| 2014 | 33.57% | −0.05pp | #159 |
| 2013 | 33.62% | −0.70pp | #160 |
| 2012 | 34.32% | −0.70pp | #157 |
| 2011 | 35.02% | −0.70pp | #157 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. 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
Bangladesh's female labor participation was 38.65% in 2025. Ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Bangladesh's female labor participation peaked at 43.69% in 2022.
The lowest female labor participation in Bangladesh was 24.21% in 1990.
Bangladesh ranks 152nd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's female labor participation is projected to reach 37.41% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Bangladesh in 2025 was 38.65%. This ranks 152nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_female-labor-participation,
title = {Bangladesh Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}