Ecuador Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Ecuador's female labor participation was 52.39% in 2025, ranked 100th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Ecuador's female labor participation stood at 52.39% in 2025, a decline of +0.01pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 51.73% by 2026. Ecuador ranked 100th globally.
Ecuador’s female labor‑force participation has risen steadily over the 36‑year span from 46.95 % in 1990 to 52.39 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 100 globally. The upward trajectory peaked in 2017 at 56.17 % before a modest decline to the 2000 trough of 45.88 %. The 2025 figure of 52.39 % is virtually identical to its closest peers, with Argentina at 52.47 % and Slovenia at 52.30 %, indicating that Ecuador now aligns with middle‑income economies in the region. The long‑run increase reflects expanding access to education, greater availability of part‑time and informal work, and policy measures aimed at gender equity, yet the modest gap between the peak and current levels suggests persistent barriers such as childcare costs and occupational segregation. Continued investment in affordable childcare and incentives for gender‑balanced hiring could sustain the upward trend and potentially lift participation above the 2017 peak in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 50.87% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 51.30% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 51.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | 52.39% | −0.01pp | #100 |
| 2024 | 52.39% | −0.13pp | #100 |
| 2023 | 52.52% | −1.72pp | #98 |
| 2022 | 54.24% | +0.61pp | #82 |
| 2021 | 53.63% | +5.39pp | #82 |
| 2020 | 48.24% | −6.16pp | #116 |
| 2019 | 54.40% | −0.08pp | #84 |
| 2018 | 54.48% | −1.69pp | #82 |
| 2017 | 56.17% | +0.77pp | #66 |
| 2016 | 55.41% | +3.50pp | #74 |
| 2015 | 51.91% | +4.22pp | #97 |
| 2014 | 47.69% | −0.44pp | #122 |
| 2013 | 48.13% | +0.05pp | #119 |
| 2012 | 48.08% | +1.02pp | #118 |
| 2011 | 47.07% | −0.95pp | #120 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ecuador matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ecuador's female labor participation was 52.39% in 2025. Ranked 100th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Ecuador's female labor participation peaked at 56.17% in 2017.
The lowest female labor participation in Ecuador was 45.88% in 2000.
Ecuador ranks 100th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ecuador's female labor participation is projected to reach 51.73% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Ecuador in 2025 was 52.39%. This ranks 100th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ecuador_female-labor-participation,
title = {Ecuador Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ecuador/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}