El Salvador Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
El Salvador's female labor participation was 49.05% in 2025, ranked 121st globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's female labor participation stood at 49.05% in 2025, a rise of +0.09pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 50.73% by 2026. El Salvador ranked 121st globally.
Female labor force participation in El Salvador has risen steadily over the 36‑year span from 40.97 % in 1990 to 49.05 % in 2025, marking both the all‑time trough and peak within the series. The 2025 figure places the country at rank 121 globally and just below the Channel Islands (49.25 %) and Belgium (49.78 %) among its closest peers, suggesting that El Salvador is approaching participation levels typical of more diversified economies. The upward trajectory reflects gradual improvements in education, legal reforms promoting gender equality, and expanding service‑sector jobs that tend to attract women. Nevertheless, the gap with higher‑ranking peers such as Belgium indicates room for policy enhancements, particularly in childcare provision and flexible work arrangements. If these supportive measures are intensified, the upward trend is likely to continue, potentially moving El Salvador into the top‑one‑hundred bracket in the near future.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 52.85% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 51.79% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 50.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.05% | +0.09pp | #121 |
| 2024 | 48.96% | +0.44pp | #121 |
| 2023 | 48.52% | +2.49pp | #123 |
| 2022 | 46.03% | +0.81pp | #131 |
| 2021 | 45.22% | +2.01pp | #132 |
| 2020 | 43.21% | −2.78pp | #135 |
| 2019 | 45.98% | +1.06pp | #134 |
| 2018 | 44.93% | −0.23pp | #136 |
| 2017 | 45.15% | −0.66pp | #135 |
| 2016 | 45.81% | +0.72pp | #132 |
| 2015 | 45.09% | −0.96pp | #135 |
| 2014 | 46.06% | −1.35pp | #130 |
| 2013 | 47.40% | +0.96pp | #123 |
| 2012 | 46.45% | +0.92pp | #125 |
| 2011 | 45.53% | −0.43pp | #126 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. 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
El Salvador's female labor participation was 49.05% in 2025. Ranked 121st globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's female labor participation peaked at 49.05% in 2025.
The lowest female labor participation in El Salvador was 40.97% in 1990.
El Salvador ranks 121st globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's female labor participation is projected to reach 50.73% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of El Salvador in 2025 was 49.05%. This ranks 121st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_female-labor-participation,
title = {El Salvador Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}