Djibouti Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Djibouti's labor force participation was 31.74% in 2025, ranked 180th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Djibouti's labor force participation stood at 31.74% in 2025, a decline of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 31.74% by 2026. Djibouti ranked 180th globally.
Djibouti’s labor force participation rate has slipped from its 1990 peak of 35.11% to a 2025 level of 31.74%, placing the country 180th worldwide. The decline accelerated after the 2020 trough of 31.56%, suggesting that recent economic shocks or demographic shifts have outweighed any gains from modest growth in sectors such as port services and logistics. Compared with peers, Djibouti lags behind Somalia (33.85%) and Yemen (33.10%) while remaining above São Tomé and Principe (23.34%) and the Syrian Arab Republic (36.90%). The 36‑year coverage indicates a persistent downward trajectory rather than short‑term volatility. Structural constraints, including limited formal employment opportunities and a large informal sector, appear to suppress participation, especially among women and youth. If policies that expand vocational training, improve labor market information systems, and attract diversified investment materialize, the participation rate could stabilize or modestly rise, altering the current downward path.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 31.73% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 31.73% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 31.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 31.74% | −0.03pp | #180 |
| 2024 | 31.77% | −0.00pp | #180 |
| 2023 | 31.78% | −0.01pp | #182 |
| 2022 | 31.79% | +0.01pp | #184 |
| 2021 | 31.78% | +0.22pp | #185 |
| 2020 | 31.56% | −0.39pp | #185 |
| 2019 | 31.96% | −0.16pp | #185 |
| 2018 | 32.11% | −0.16pp | #185 |
| 2017 | 32.27% | −0.16pp | #185 |
| 2016 | 32.43% | −0.15pp | #184 |
| 2015 | 32.58% | −0.14pp | #184 |
| 2014 | 32.72% | −0.13pp | #185 |
| 2013 | 32.85% | −0.12pp | #185 |
| 2012 | 32.96% | −0.11pp | #185 |
| 2011 | 33.07% | −0.11pp | #185 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Djibouti matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. 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
Djibouti's labor force participation was 31.74% in 2025. Ranked 180th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Djibouti's labor force participation peaked at 35.11% in 1990.
The lowest labor force participation in Djibouti was 31.56% in 2020.
Djibouti ranks 180th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Djibouti's labor force participation is projected to reach 31.74% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Djibouti in 2025 was 31.74%. This ranks 180th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_djibouti_labor-force-participation,
title = {Djibouti Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/djibouti/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}