Barbados Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Barbados's female labor participation was 61.03% in 2025, ranked 44th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Barbados's female labor participation stood at 61.03% in 2025, a decline of +0.34pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 62.04% by 2026. Barbados ranked 44th globally.
Barbados’ female labor force participation stood at 61.03 % in 2025, placing the island at rank 44 worldwide. The indicator has shown modest fluctuation over the 36‑year series, rising from an early‑record 60.94 % in 1990 to a peak of 64.71 % in 2004 before slipping to a trough of 58.96 % in 2021. Compared with peers of similar rank, Barbados is marginally below Cyprus (61.21 %) and Estonia (60.98 %) and trails Sweden’s 61.54 % and Denmark’s 60.79 % despite the latter two belonging to higher‑income economies with more diversified labour markets. The post‑peak decline coincides with the global COVID‑19 shock, suggesting that pandemic‑related disruptions to service‑sector employment and childcare availability may have constrained women’s labour supply. Continued investment in flexible work arrangements, affordable childcare and sectoral upskilling could help reverse the recent dip and sustain a gradual upward trajectory in female participation.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 62.92% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 62.48% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 62.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.03% | −0.34pp | #44 |
| 2024 | 61.37% | +0.23pp | #44 |
| 2023 | 61.15% | +0.04pp | #45 |
| 2022 | 61.11% | +2.15pp | #40 |
| 2021 | 58.96% | −0.72pp | #50 |
| 2020 | 59.69% | −1.90pp | #42 |
| 2019 | 61.59% | −0.04pp | #35 |
| 2018 | 61.63% | −0.89pp | #33 |
| 2017 | 62.52% | −0.01pp | #32 |
| 2016 | 62.53% | +0.80pp | #32 |
| 2015 | 61.73% | −1.49pp | #35 |
| 2014 | 63.23% | −0.77pp | #30 |
| 2013 | 64.00% | +1.12pp | #30 |
| 2012 | 62.88% | −1.42pp | #35 |
| 2011 | 64.30% | −0.12pp | #31 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Barbados matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2011. 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
Barbados's female labor participation was 61.03% in 2025. Ranked 44th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Barbados's female labor participation peaked at 64.71% in 2004.
The lowest female labor participation in Barbados was 58.96% in 2021.
Barbados ranks 44th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Barbados's female labor participation is projected to reach 62.04% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Barbados in 2025 was 61.03%. This ranks 44th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_barbados_female-labor-participation,
title = {Barbados Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/barbados/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}