Mozambique Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Mozambique's female labor participation was 77.09% in 2025, ranked 8th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Mozambique's female labor participation stood at 77.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.12pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 77.30% by 2026. Mozambique ranked 8th globally.
Mozambique’s female labor force participation stood at 77.09 % in 2025, ranking eighth globally, and reflects a gradual decline from its all‑time peak of 87.83 % in 2003. The downward trajectory accelerated after the 2021 trough of 76.78 %, suggesting that structural shifts in the agricultural sector and limited formal employment opportunities have constrained women’s entry into the labour market. Over the 36‑year series, participation remains higher than that of Uganda (75.59 %) and Benin (75.16 %), but slightly below the rates of Cambodia (77.35 %) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (77.71 %). The persistence of a high informal‑sector share and modest gains in female education contribute to the modest recovery observed since 2021. Continued investment in skills development, expansion of gender‑responsive formal jobs, and improved access to childcare could reverse the recent decline and sustain a modest upward trend in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 77.42% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 77.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 77.30% | - | - |
| 2025 | 77.09% | −0.12pp | #8 |
| 2024 | 77.21% | −0.06pp | #8 |
| 2023 | 77.27% | +0.07pp | #7 |
| 2022 | 77.20% | +0.41pp | #6 |
| 2021 | 76.79% | −0.09pp | #5 |
| 2020 | 76.87% | −0.86pp | #6 |
| 2019 | 77.74% | −0.11pp | #6 |
| 2018 | 77.84% | −0.10pp | #5 |
| 2017 | 77.94% | −0.10pp | #5 |
| 2016 | 78.04% | −0.10pp | #5 |
| 2015 | 78.14% | −0.96pp | #5 |
| 2014 | 79.11% | −0.93pp | #5 |
| 2013 | 80.04% | −0.90pp | #6 |
| 2012 | 80.94% | −0.88pp | #4 |
| 2011 | 81.82% | −0.85pp | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mozambique matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mozambique's female labor participation was 77.09% in 2025. Ranked 8th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Mozambique's female labor participation peaked at 87.83% in 2003.
The lowest female labor participation in Mozambique was 76.79% in 2021.
Mozambique ranks 8th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mozambique's female labor participation is projected to reach 77.30% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Mozambique in 2025 was 77.09%. This ranks 8th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mozambique_female-labor-participation,
title = {Mozambique Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mozambique/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}