Namibia Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Namibia's female labor participation was 54.92% in 2025, ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Namibia's female labor participation stood at 54.92% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 55.64% by 2026. Namibia ranked 82nd globally.
Namibia’s female labor force participation has risen steadily since the earliest recorded value of 48.22 % in 1990, reaching an all‑time peak of 58.57 % in 2013 before a modest decline to 54.92 % in 2025, placing the country 82nd globally. The trough of 46.88 % in 1997 marked the low point of the 36‑year series, after which structural reforms and increased access to education contributed to a gradual upward trajectory. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Namibia’s 2025 rate of 54.92 % is marginally lower than Panama’s 54.94 % and Portugal’s 54.63 %, yet closely aligned with Austria’s 55.06 % and the Russian Federation’s 54.55 %. The persistent rise since the late 1990s suggests that continued investment in childcare services, vocational training, and gender‑responsive labor policies could sustain or even improve participation rates, potentially moving Namibia above its regional peers in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 56.40% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 56.02% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 55.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 54.92% | +0.01pp | #82 |
| 2024 | 54.91% | +0.08pp | #82 |
| 2023 | 54.83% | +0.09pp | #83 |
| 2022 | 54.74% | +1.62pp | #79 |
| 2021 | 53.11% | +0.66pp | #86 |
| 2020 | 52.45% | −2.87pp | #90 |
| 2019 | 55.32% | −0.07pp | #76 |
| 2018 | 55.39% | −0.05pp | #75 |
| 2017 | 55.44% | −0.06pp | #74 |
| 2016 | 55.50% | −0.85pp | #73 |
| 2015 | 56.35% | −0.85pp | #59 |
| 2014 | 57.20% | −1.37pp | #55 |
| 2013 | 58.57% | +5.47pp | #52 |
| 2012 | 53.10% | +0.48pp | #85 |
| 2011 | 52.61% | +0.49pp | #89 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. 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
Namibia's female labor participation was 54.92% in 2025. Ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from the previous year.
Namibia's female labor participation peaked at 58.57% in 2013.
The lowest female labor participation in Namibia was 46.88% in 1997.
Namibia ranks 82nd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's female labor participation is projected to reach 55.64% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Namibia in 2025 was 54.92%. This ranks 82nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_female-labor-participation,
title = {Namibia Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}