Gambia, The Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Gambia, The's labor force participation was 47.46% in 2025, ranked 162nd globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Gambia, The's labor force participation stood at 47.46% in 2025, a decline of +0.05pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 47.41% by 2026. Gambia, The ranked 162nd globally.
Gambia’s labor force participation rate has slipped to 47.46 % in 2025, placing it 162nd in the world and marking the all‑time trough after a 36‑year series that began at 48.23 % in 1990. The highest level recorded was 48.42 % in 2001, indicating a modest decline of less than one percentage point over the past two decades. Compared with regional peers, Libya’s participation stands at 47.96 % and Tunisia at 45.22 %, suggesting that Gambia remains marginally below the former and above the latter. The gradual downward drift reflects persistent structural constraints such as limited formal employment opportunities and a sizeable informal sector, which have restrained entry of women and youth into the labor market. If policies succeed in expanding vocational training, improving gender equity, and fostering private‑sector growth, the participation rate could stabilize or even reverse its recent slide, nudging Gambia back toward its early‑2000s peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 47.33% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 47.37% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 47.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 47.46% | −0.05pp | #162 |
| 2024 | 47.51% | −0.04pp | #162 |
| 2023 | 47.55% | −0.05pp | #162 |
| 2022 | 47.60% | −0.04pp | #163 |
| 2021 | 47.64% | −0.04pp | #163 |
| 2020 | 47.68% | −0.08pp | #162 |
| 2019 | 47.75% | −0.02pp | #167 |
| 2018 | 47.77% | −0.00pp | #167 |
| 2017 | 47.77% | −0.02pp | #165 |
| 2016 | 47.79% | −0.04pp | #164 |
| 2015 | 47.84% | −0.02pp | #163 |
| 2014 | 47.85% | −0.07pp | #165 |
| 2013 | 47.92% | −0.03pp | #165 |
| 2012 | 47.95% | −0.01pp | #166 |
| 2011 | 47.96% | −0.15pp | #165 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Gambia, The matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Gambia, The's labor force participation was 47.46% in 2025. Ranked 162nd globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Gambia, The's labor force participation peaked at 48.42% in 2001.
The lowest labor force participation in Gambia, The was 47.46% in 2025.
Gambia, The ranks 162nd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Gambia, The's labor force participation is projected to reach 47.41% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Gambia, The in 2025 was 47.46%. This ranks 162nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_gambia-the_labor-force-participation,
title = {Gambia, The Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/gambia-the/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}