Ghana Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Ghana's female labor participation was 55.27% in 2025, ranked 77th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Ghana's female labor participation stood at 55.27% in 2025, a decline of +0.47pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 54.89% by 2026. Ghana ranked 77th globally.
Ghana’s female labor‑force participation has fallen sharply from its all‑time peak of 70.07 % in 1991 to a trough of 55.27 % in 2025, placing the country 77th globally and just below Germany’s 55.29 % and Latvia’s 55.25 % in the same year. Over the 36‑year span from 1990, when participation stood at 70.05 %, the decline reflects structural shifts such as the contraction of informal agricultural work, limited access to affordable childcare, and persistent gender gaps in education and training. The downward trajectory coincides with broader West African trends of declining female employment rates, yet Ghana’s rate remains higher than the Slovak Republic’s 55.13 % and only marginally lower than Malta’s 55.80 %. If policies that expand vocational programs for women, improve rural credit access, and strengthen parental‑leave provisions are implemented, the current decline could be halted and participation may begin to rise again in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 54.31% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 54.60% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 54.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 55.27% | −0.47pp | #77 |
| 2024 | 55.73% | +0.20pp | #75 |
| 2023 | 55.53% | +0.02pp | #78 |
| 2022 | 55.51% | −1.34pp | #74 |
| 2021 | 56.85% | −1.11pp | #64 |
| 2020 | 57.96% | −2.11pp | #53 |
| 2019 | 60.06% | −1.45pp | #48 |
| 2018 | 61.52% | −1.45pp | #36 |
| 2017 | 62.97% | −1.05pp | #28 |
| 2016 | 64.01% | −1.04pp | #28 |
| 2015 | 65.05% | −1.05pp | #27 |
| 2014 | 66.10% | −1.04pp | #25 |
| 2013 | 67.13% | −0.14pp | #22 |
| 2012 | 67.27% | −0.14pp | #21 |
| 2011 | 67.40% | −0.14pp | #24 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ghana matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ghana's female labor participation was 55.27% in 2025. Ranked 77th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
Ghana's female labor participation peaked at 70.07% in 1991.
The lowest female labor participation in Ghana was 55.27% in 2025.
Ghana ranks 77th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ghana's female labor participation is projected to reach 54.89% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Ghana in 2025 was 55.27%. This ranks 77th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ghana_female-labor-participation,
title = {Ghana Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ghana/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}