Colombia Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Colombia's female labor participation was 51.62% in 2025, ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Colombia's female labor participation stood at 51.62% in 2025, a decline of +0.09pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 51.76% by 2026. Colombia ranked 104th globally.
Colombia’s female labor participation stood at 51.62 % in 2025, placing the country 104th globally and virtually level with peers such as Malaysia (51.64 %) and Poland (51.61 %). After a modest decline from the 1990 level of 53.36 %, participation reached an all‑time trough of 49.98 % in 2007 before climbing to a peak of 56.01 % in 2012, a period coinciding with expanded social programs and greater access to secondary education for women. The subsequent modest retreat to the current figure reflects a combination of structural constraints in the informal sector and the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on service‑oriented employment, which traditionally employs a higher share of women. Over the 36‑year series, the indicator has shown limited volatility, suggesting entrenched labor market dynamics. Continued reforms aimed at formalizing work, improving childcare provision, and encouraging gender‑responsive hiring practices could reverse the slight downward drift and push participation toward the 2020s peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 51.90% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 51.83% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 51.76% | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.62% | −0.09pp | #104 |
| 2024 | 51.72% | −0.11pp | #108 |
| 2023 | 51.83% | +0.91pp | #108 |
| 2022 | 50.92% | −0.76pp | #108 |
| 2021 | 51.68% | +0.57pp | #99 |
| 2020 | 51.11% | −1.29pp | #97 |
| 2019 | 52.40% | −0.85pp | #98 |
| 2018 | 53.24% | −1.10pp | #91 |
| 2017 | 54.34% | −0.38pp | #85 |
| 2016 | 54.72% | −0.54pp | #82 |
| 2015 | 55.26% | +0.25pp | #73 |
| 2014 | 55.00% | −0.30pp | #71 |
| 2013 | 55.30% | −0.71pp | #74 |
| 2012 | 56.01% | +1.07pp | #68 |
| 2011 | 54.95% | +0.53pp | #72 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Colombia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2023. 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
Colombia's female labor participation was 51.62% in 2025. Ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Colombia's female labor participation peaked at 56.01% in 2012.
The lowest female labor participation in Colombia was 49.98% in 2007.
Colombia ranks 104th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Colombia's female labor participation is projected to reach 51.76% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Colombia in 2025 was 51.62%. This ranks 104th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_colombia_female-labor-participation,
title = {Colombia Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/colombia/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}