Nicaragua Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Nicaragua's female labor participation was 51.25% in 2025, ranked 110th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's female labor participation stood at 51.25% in 2025, a rise of +0.17pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 52.04% by 2026. Nicaragua ranked 110th globally.
Nicaragua’s female labor force participation has risen steadily over the 36‑year span from 33.03 % in 1990 to an all‑time high of 51.25 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 110 globally. The lowest point occurred in 1993 at 32.84 %, after which participation expanded by more than half a percentage point per year on average, reflecting gradual improvements in access to education, micro‑enterprise credit and social protection schemes. The 2025 level matches Montenegro’s 51.25 % and is only marginally below France’s 51.48 %, indicating that Nicaragua now competes with middle‑income economies in integrating women into the labour market. The upward trajectory aligns with regional trends toward gender‑inclusive growth, yet the share remains below the Latin American average, suggesting room for policy reinforcement. Continued investment in affordable childcare, vocational training and formal‑sector job creation could sustain the current momentum and push female participation beyond the present peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 53.10% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 52.57% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 52.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.25% | +0.17pp | #110 |
| 2024 | 51.08% | +0.35pp | #113 |
| 2023 | 50.73% | +0.58pp | #115 |
| 2022 | 50.14% | +1.07pp | #116 |
| 2021 | 49.08% | +0.96pp | #115 |
| 2020 | 48.12% | −0.52pp | #117 |
| 2019 | 48.63% | −0.22pp | #124 |
| 2018 | 48.85% | −0.26pp | #121 |
| 2017 | 49.12% | +0.39pp | #119 |
| 2016 | 48.73% | +0.39pp | #121 |
| 2015 | 48.34% | +0.41pp | #120 |
| 2014 | 47.94% | +0.87pp | #121 |
| 2013 | 47.06% | +0.87pp | #124 |
| 2012 | 46.19% | +0.87pp | #127 |
| 2011 | 45.32% | +0.87pp | #128 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. 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
Nicaragua's female labor participation was 51.25% in 2025. Ranked 110th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Nicaragua's female labor participation peaked at 51.25% in 2025.
The lowest female labor participation in Nicaragua was 32.84% in 1993.
Nicaragua ranks 110th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's female labor participation is projected to reach 52.04% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Nicaragua in 2025 was 51.25%. This ranks 110th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_female-labor-participation,
title = {Nicaragua Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}