Kuwait Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Kuwait's female labor participation was 47.20% in 2025, ranked 131st globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's female labor participation stood at 47.20% in 2025, a decline of +0.14pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 47.10% by 2026. Kuwait ranked 131st globally.
Kuwait’s female labor participation rate has risen steadily over the 36‑year series, moving from a low of 40.68 % in 1992 to a peak of 49.87 % in 2017, before settling at 47.20 % in 2025, which places the country 131st globally. The upward trajectory reflects gradual policy reforms and expanding opportunities in the private sector, yet the rate remains marginally below that of close peers such as Guyana (47.35 %) and Chad (47.30 %). The early 1990s trough coincided with post‑Gulf War economic adjustments, while the 2017 apex occurred during a period of heightened diversification efforts under Kuwait Vision 2035. Although the 2025 figure marks a modest decline from the 2017 high, it still exceeds the 1990 baseline of 41.40 %, suggesting a persistent, albeit slowing, expansion of women’s employment. Continued investment in education, childcare support, and sectoral reforms could reignite growth and push participation closer to gender‑parity targets in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 46.52% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 46.81% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 47.10% | - | - |
| 2025 | 47.20% | −0.14pp | #131 |
| 2024 | 47.34% | −0.84pp | #130 |
| 2023 | 48.18% | −1.44pp | #126 |
| 2022 | 49.62% | +2.11pp | #122 |
| 2021 | 47.51% | +0.97pp | #125 |
| 2020 | 46.54% | −2.78pp | #123 |
| 2019 | 49.32% | −0.29pp | #119 |
| 2018 | 49.61% | −0.25pp | #116 |
| 2017 | 49.87% | +0.34pp | #111 |
| 2016 | 49.53% | −0.12pp | #114 |
| 2015 | 49.65% | +0.11pp | #113 |
| 2014 | 49.54% | +0.25pp | #111 |
| 2013 | 49.29% | +0.40pp | #111 |
| 2012 | 48.89% | +0.74pp | #114 |
| 2011 | 48.15% | +0.86pp | #114 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. 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
Kuwait's female labor participation was 47.20% in 2025. Ranked 131st globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Kuwait's female labor participation peaked at 49.87% in 2017.
The lowest female labor participation in Kuwait was 40.68% in 1992.
Kuwait ranks 131st globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's female labor participation is projected to reach 47.10% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Kuwait in 2025 was 47.20%. This ranks 131st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_female-labor-participation,
title = {Kuwait Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}