Pakistan Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Pakistan's female labor participation was 24.05% in 2025, ranked 168th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Pakistan's female labor participation stood at 24.05% in 2025, a rise of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.88% by 2026. Pakistan ranked 168th globally.
Pakistan's female labor participation has experienced a moderate increase over the past 36 years, with significant variations in the rate. The indicator peaked at 24.36% in 2021, only to decline marginally to 24.05% in 2025. Conversely, the trough was reached in 1990 at 11.20%, with the rate steadily rising since then. Notably, Pakistan's rate is still lower than that of peer countries such as Tunisia, which recorded 26.50% in 2025. Mauritania, a country with a comparable rate, has managed to sustain its female labor participation at 26.18% over the years. Despite the progress made, there is room for improvement, particularly considering the relatively low global rank of 168. A change in trajectory could be driven by government policies aimed at promoting women's education and employment opportunities, which could potentially boost Pakistan's female labor participation rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 23.75% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 23.81% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 23.88% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.05% | +0.06pp | #168 |
| 2024 | 23.99% | −0.01pp | #168 |
| 2023 | 24.00% | −0.03pp | #169 |
| 2022 | 24.03% | −0.34pp | #169 |
| 2021 | 24.37% | +0.96pp | #170 |
| 2020 | 23.41% | +0.16pp | #171 |
| 2019 | 23.24% | +1.67pp | #172 |
| 2018 | 21.57% | −0.79pp | #173 |
| 2017 | 22.36% | −0.80pp | #172 |
| 2016 | 23.16% | −0.82pp | #171 |
| 2015 | 23.98% | +1.00pp | #171 |
| 2014 | 22.99% | +0.20pp | #174 |
| 2013 | 22.79% | +0.28pp | #174 |
| 2012 | 22.51% | +0.28pp | #175 |
| 2011 | 22.23% | +0.19pp | #175 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Pakistan 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
Pakistan's female labor participation was 24.05% in 2025. Ranked 168th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Pakistan's female labor participation peaked at 24.37% in 2021.
The lowest female labor participation in Pakistan was 11.20% in 1990.
Pakistan ranks 168th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Pakistan's female labor participation is projected to reach 23.88% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Pakistan in 2025 was 24.05%. This ranks 168th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_pakistan_female-labor-participation,
title = {Pakistan Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/pakistan/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}