Bangladesh Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Bangladesh's labor force participation was 58.80% in 2025, ranked 111th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's labor force participation stood at 58.80% in 2025, a decline of +0.11pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 58.04% by 2026. Bangladesh ranked 111th globally.
Bangladesh’s labor force participation rate has risen modestly over the 36‑year series, moving from 56.78 % in 1990 to 58.80 % in 2025, which places the country at 111th globally. The upward trajectory peaked in 2022 at 61.87 % before slipping to a trough of 56.09 % in 2016, suggesting that recent gains are part of a broader post‑trough recovery rather than a sustained surge. Compared with peers of similar rank, Bangladesh’s 2025 rate is slightly below Namibia’s 58.84 % and Mauritius’s 58.55 %, indicating that the country remains marginally less engaged in the labor market than its regional counterparts. The gradual increase reflects demographic shifts, expanding secondary education, and modest growth in formal employment, yet the persistence of informal work and gender gaps temper further acceleration. Continued investment in skill development, particularly for women and youth, will be crucial to sustain the current upward trend and narrow the gap with neighboring economies.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 56.53% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 57.29% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 58.80% | −0.11pp | #111 |
| 2024 | 58.90% | −1.98pp | #110 |
| 2023 | 60.89% | −0.99pp | #101 |
| 2022 | 61.87% | +0.79pp | #89 |
| 2021 | 61.09% | +1.32pp | #90 |
| 2020 | 59.77% | +0.30pp | #96 |
| 2019 | 59.47% | +0.56pp | #111 |
| 2018 | 58.92% | +0.59pp | #119 |
| 2017 | 58.33% | +2.24pp | #123 |
| 2016 | 56.09% | −0.36pp | #135 |
| 2015 | 56.45% | −0.36pp | #128 |
| 2014 | 56.82% | −0.36pp | #127 |
| 2013 | 57.18% | −0.47pp | #125 |
| 2012 | 57.65% | −0.47pp | #126 |
| 2011 | 58.11% | −0.46pp | #125 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's labor force participation was 58.80% in 2025. Ranked 111th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Bangladesh's labor force participation peaked at 61.87% in 2022.
The lowest labor force participation in Bangladesh was 56.09% in 2016.
Bangladesh ranks 111th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's labor force participation is projected to reach 58.04% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Bangladesh in 2025 was 58.80%. This ranks 111th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_labor-force-participation,
title = {Bangladesh Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}