Iceland Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Iceland's female labor participation was 70.01% in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Iceland's female labor participation stood at 70.01% in 2025, a decline of +0.24pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 70.49% by 2026. Iceland ranked 18th globally.
Iceland's female labor participation rate has been steadily tracked by the World Bank for 36 years, with the latest figure standing at 70.01% in 2025. This places the country 18th globally, closely behind Liberia at 72.03% and ahead of peer countries like Viet Nam at 68.55%. The all-time peak of 73.47% was achieved in 2000, while the trough of 66.20% occurred in the earliest recorded year of 1990. Compared to its peers, Iceland's female labor participation rate is higher than New Zealand's 66.08%, but lower than the Bahamas' 70.73%. As Iceland's female labor participation rate remains relatively stable, a shift in policy or economic conditions would be necessary to alter the current trajectory and potentially drive the rate back towards its peak in the early 2000s.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 70.78% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 70.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 70.49% | - | - |
| 2025 | 70.01% | −0.24pp | #18 |
| 2024 | 70.25% | −0.12pp | #18 |
| 2023 | 70.37% | −0.20pp | #18 |
| 2022 | 70.57% | +1.42pp | #19 |
| 2021 | 69.15% | −0.16pp | #17 |
| 2020 | 69.31% | −2.15pp | #16 |
| 2019 | 71.46% | −0.14pp | #17 |
| 2018 | 71.60% | −1.00pp | #16 |
| 2017 | 72.59% | −0.41pp | #13 |
| 2016 | 73.00% | +0.21pp | #12 |
| 2015 | 72.79% | +0.90pp | #14 |
| 2014 | 71.89% | +0.83pp | #16 |
| 2013 | 71.06% | +0.45pp | #17 |
| 2012 | 70.62% | +0.57pp | #17 |
| 2011 | 70.05% | −0.44pp | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. 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
Iceland's female labor participation was 70.01% in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Iceland's female labor participation peaked at 73.47% in 2000.
The lowest female labor participation in Iceland was 66.20% in 1990.
Iceland ranks 18th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's female labor participation is projected to reach 70.49% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Iceland in 2025 was 70.01%. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_female-labor-participation,
title = {Iceland Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}