New Zealand Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
New Zealand's female labor participation was 66.08% in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's female labor participation stood at 66.08% in 2025, a decline of +0.18pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 66.50% by 2026. New Zealand ranked 20th globally.
New Zealand’s female labour‑force participation rose from 53.35 % in 1990 to a record 66.92 % in 2023, before slipping slightly to 66.08 % in 2025, placing the country 20th globally. The early‑1990s trough of 53.29 % in 1993 marked the low point of a 36‑year series, after which steady gains reflected expanding service‑sector jobs, progressive parental‑leave policies and higher tertiary enrolment among women. The modest decline from the 2023 peak coincides with a tightening labour market and rising childcare costs, factors that have also moderated participation in peer economies such as the Republic of Congo (65.58 %). Nevertheless, New Zealand remains above the regional average and close to the 68.55 % achieved by Vietnam. Continued investment in affordable early‑childhood care and flexible work arrangements could restore the upward trajectory and push participation beyond the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 66.67% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 66.58% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 66.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 66.08% | −0.18pp | #20 |
| 2024 | 66.26% | −0.67pp | #20 |
| 2023 | 66.92% | +0.56pp | #21 |
| 2022 | 66.37% | +0.77pp | #22 |
| 2021 | 65.60% | +0.90pp | #22 |
| 2020 | 64.69% | −0.62pp | #22 |
| 2019 | 65.31% | +0.09pp | #24 |
| 2018 | 65.22% | +0.29pp | #24 |
| 2017 | 64.93% | +0.88pp | #25 |
| 2016 | 64.05% | +1.19pp | #27 |
| 2015 | 62.86% | +0.03pp | #30 |
| 2014 | 62.83% | +0.91pp | #32 |
| 2013 | 61.92% | −0.10pp | #35 |
| 2012 | 62.02% | +0.15pp | #38 |
| 2011 | 61.87% | +0.49pp | #36 |
Analysis
New Zealand's female labor participation was 66.08% in 2025, a decline of −0.18pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 66.50% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's female labor participation was 66.08% in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
New Zealand's female labor participation peaked at 66.92% in 2023.
The lowest female labor participation in New Zealand was 53.29% in 1993.
New Zealand ranks 20th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's female labor participation is projected to reach 66.50% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of New Zealand in 2025 was 66.08%. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_female-labor-participation,
title = {New Zealand Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}