Guinea-Bissau Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Guinea-Bissau's labor force participation was 64.81% in 2025, ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau's labor force participation stood at 64.81% in 2025, a rise of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.20% by 2026. Guinea-Bissau ranked 63rd globally.
Guinea‑Bissau’s labor‑force participation rate has hovered around the mid‑sixties for three decades, moving from 64.08 % in 1990 to a modest high of 64.84 % in 2022 before slipping to a trough of 62.17 % in 2019. The latest World Bank estimate for 2025 shows a participation level of 64.81 %, placing the country 63rd globally and almost identical to the 2022 peak. This figure is comparable to peer economies such as Bhutan (64.82 %) and the Dominican Republic (64.84 %), suggesting that Guinea‑Bissau’s labor market is aligned with other small, developing nations rather than with higher‑participation economies like Sweden (64.59 %). The narrow swing between peak and trough over the 36‑year coverage indicates a relatively stable but stagnant labor supply, constrained by limited industrial diversification and persistent informal employment. Continued investment in education and formal sector job creation could lift participation above the current plateau and shift the upward trajectory in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 65.60% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 65.40% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 64.81% | +0.06pp | #63 |
| 2024 | 64.75% | −0.05pp | #64 |
| 2023 | 64.80% | −0.04pp | #65 |
| 2022 | 64.84% | +1.07pp | #60 |
| 2021 | 63.77% | +1.26pp | #64 |
| 2020 | 62.50% | +0.34pp | #73 |
| 2019 | 62.17% | −0.73pp | #88 |
| 2018 | 62.90% | −0.10pp | #77 |
| 2017 | 63.00% | −0.09pp | #74 |
| 2016 | 63.09% | −0.07pp | #74 |
| 2015 | 63.16% | −0.06pp | #74 |
| 2014 | 63.22% | −0.05pp | #75 |
| 2013 | 63.28% | −0.05pp | #74 |
| 2012 | 63.32% | −0.05pp | #74 |
| 2011 | 63.37% | −0.04pp | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guinea-Bissau matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guinea-Bissau's labor force participation was 64.81% in 2025. Ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Guinea-Bissau's labor force participation peaked at 64.84% in 2022.
The lowest labor force participation in Guinea-Bissau was 62.17% in 2019.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 63rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Guinea-Bissau's labor force participation is projected to reach 65.20% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Guinea-Bissau in 2025 was 64.81%. This ranks 63rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guinea-bissau_labor-force-participation,
title = {Guinea-Bissau Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guinea-bissau/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}