Congo, Democratic Republic of Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Congo, Democratic Republic of's female labor participation was 61.85% in 2025, ranked 39th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Congo, Democratic Republic of's female labor participation stood at 61.85% in 2025, a decline of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 62.43% by 2026. Congo, Democratic Republic of ranked 39th globally.
Female labor force participation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has fallen markedly since the mid‑1990s, slipping from an all‑time peak of 71.97% in 1995 to a trough of 60.26% in 2020 before a modest recovery to 61.85% in 2025, placing the country 39th globally. The 36‑year series shows a long‑term downward drift, with the most pronounced decline occurring during the post‑conflict period of the early 2000s, when economic restructuring and limited formal job creation constrained women’s entry into paid work. By contrast, peer economies such as Qatar and Timor‑Leste record similar participation rates of 61.85% and 61.68% respectively, reflecting broader regional patterns of modest female labor engagement. The recent uptick suggests that policy measures aimed at expanding informal sector opportunities and improving access to vocational training could sustain the upward movement, though any reversal of macro‑economic instability would be required to secure a durable rise in women’s labour market involvement.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 63.07% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 62.75% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 62.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.85% | −0.04pp | #39 |
| 2024 | 61.89% | +0.17pp | #37 |
| 2023 | 61.72% | +0.29pp | #41 |
| 2022 | 61.43% | +0.95pp | #36 |
| 2021 | 60.48% | +0.22pp | #42 |
| 2020 | 60.26% | −0.78pp | #38 |
| 2019 | 61.04% | −0.24pp | #39 |
| 2018 | 61.28% | −0.22pp | #38 |
| 2017 | 61.49% | −0.17pp | #36 |
| 2016 | 61.66% | −0.18pp | #36 |
| 2015 | 61.84% | −0.21pp | #34 |
| 2014 | 62.05% | −0.21pp | #35 |
| 2013 | 62.26% | −0.20pp | #34 |
| 2012 | 62.46% | −1.33pp | #36 |
| 2011 | 63.79% | −1.31pp | #32 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Congo, Democratic Republic of matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2018. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Congo, Democratic Republic of's female labor participation was 61.85% in 2025. Ranked 39th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's female labor participation peaked at 71.97% in 1995.
The lowest female labor participation in Congo, Democratic Republic of was 60.26% in 2020.
Congo, Democratic Republic of ranks 39th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's female labor participation is projected to reach 62.43% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Congo, Democratic Republic of in 2025 was 61.85%. This ranks 39th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_congo-democratic-republic-of_female-labor-participation,
title = {Congo, Democratic Republic of Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/congo-democratic-republic-of/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}