Iran, Islamic Republic of Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's female labor participation was 14.01% in 2025, ranked 177th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's female labor participation stood at 14.01% in 2025, a decline of +0.13pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 14.53% by 2026. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 177th globally.
Iran's female labor participation rate has experienced fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, with a notable peak of 18.68% in 2005 and a trough of 9.57% in 1990. Since then, the rate has declined steadily, reaching a current level of 14.01% in 2025, ranking 177th globally. In comparison to its regional peers, Iran's female labor participation is higher than that of Iraq, which stands at 10.94%, but lower than Jordan's 16.03%. Algeria's rate is slightly higher, at 14.14%. The decline in Iran's female labor participation rate can be attributed to various factors, including social and cultural norms, as well as economic conditions. To reverse this trend, Iran would need to implement policies that promote women's participation in the workforce, such as education and job training programs, as well as addressing discriminatory laws and social barriers that hinder women's economic empowerment.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 15.03% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 14.78% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 14.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | 14.01% | −0.13pp | #177 |
| 2024 | 14.14% | +0.02pp | #177 |
| 2023 | 14.13% | +0.66pp | #179 |
| 2022 | 13.47% | +0.38pp | #181 |
| 2021 | 13.09% | −0.64pp | #183 |
| 2020 | 13.72% | −3.09pp | #182 |
| 2019 | 16.81% | −0.53pp | #180 |
| 2018 | 17.34% | −0.02pp | #181 |
| 2017 | 17.36% | +1.18pp | #181 |
| 2016 | 16.17% | +1.81pp | #181 |
| 2015 | 14.36% | +1.37pp | #182 |
| 2014 | 12.99% | −0.35pp | #183 |
| 2013 | 13.34% | −1.55pp | #182 |
| 2012 | 14.89% | +1.30pp | #181 |
| 2011 | 13.60% | −1.55pp | #184 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. 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
Iran, Islamic Republic of's female labor participation was 14.01% in 2025. Ranked 177th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's female labor participation peaked at 18.68% in 2005.
The lowest female labor participation in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 9.57% in 1990.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 177th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's female labor participation is projected to reach 14.53% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 14.01%. This ranks 177th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_female-labor-participation,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}