Maldives Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Maldives's female labor participation was 40.73% in 2025, ranked 148th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Maldives's female labor participation stood at 40.73% in 2025, a rise of +0.28pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 41.66% by 2026. Maldives ranked 148th globally.
Female labor force participation in the Maldives has risen sharply from a trough of 19.88 % in 1990 to a peak of 40.76 % in 2019, reaching 40.73 % in 2025 and ranking 148th globally. The 36‑year span shows a more than doubling of women’s engagement in the labor market, reflecting policy measures that expanded childcare services and encouraged female entrepreneurship. The Maldives’ 2025 level is closely matched by peers such as Italy (40.81 %) and Myanmar (40.94 %), suggesting convergence with upper‑middle‑income economies that have similarly pursued gender‑inclusive labor reforms. While the recent figure sits marginally below the all‑time high, the upward trajectory remains robust; continued investment in skills training and flexible work arrangements could sustain growth and potentially lift the Maldives into the top‑140 bracket in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 42.81% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 42.24% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 41.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.73% | +0.28pp | #148 |
| 2024 | 40.46% | +0.14pp | #148 |
| 2023 | 40.31% | +0.14pp | #151 |
| 2022 | 40.17% | +2.18pp | #153 |
| 2021 | 38.00% | +0.89pp | #154 |
| 2020 | 37.10% | −3.66pp | #156 |
| 2019 | 40.76% | +0.38pp | #151 |
| 2018 | 40.38% | +0.60pp | #151 |
| 2017 | 39.78% | +0.80pp | #151 |
| 2016 | 38.99% | +0.41pp | #154 |
| 2015 | 38.57% | +0.41pp | #155 |
| 2014 | 38.16% | +0.41pp | #156 |
| 2013 | 37.76% | +0.40pp | #156 |
| 2012 | 37.36% | +0.38pp | #156 |
| 2011 | 36.98% | +0.36pp | #155 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's female labor participation was 40.73% in 2025. Ranked 148th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from the previous year.
Maldives's female labor participation peaked at 40.76% in 2019.
The lowest female labor participation in Maldives was 19.88% in 1990.
Maldives ranks 148th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Maldives's female labor participation is projected to reach 41.66% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Maldives in 2025 was 40.73%. This ranks 148th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_female-labor-participation,
title = {Maldives Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}