Papua New Guinea Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Papua New Guinea's female labor participation was 50.82% in 2025, ranked 114th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's female labor participation stood at 50.82% in 2025, a rise of +0.13pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 50.84% by 2026. Papua New Guinea ranked 114th globally.
Papua New Guinea has experienced a relatively stable female labor participation rate over the past three and a half decades. Despite having one of the lowest rates globally, the country has managed to maintain a consistent level of female participation in the workforce, with a latest reading of 50.82%. This rate is still below the all-time peak of 50.82% achieved in 2025, but significantly higher than the trough of 47.04% recorded in 1994. When compared to its peer countries, Papua New Guinea ranks lower than Armenia, which has a higher female labor participation rate of 51.06%. The country's female labor participation rate has been steadily increasing since the early 1990s, albeit at a slow pace. To change the trajectory of this trend and increase the female labor participation rate, Papua New Guinea would need to address issues such as education and job opportunities, particularly in the rural areas.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 50.96% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 50.90% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 50.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.82% | +0.13pp | #114 |
| 2024 | 50.70% | +0.05pp | #114 |
| 2023 | 50.64% | −0.00pp | #116 |
| 2022 | 50.65% | +0.08pp | #111 |
| 2021 | 50.57% | +0.76pp | #109 |
| 2020 | 49.81% | −0.15pp | #107 |
| 2019 | 49.96% | +0.25pp | #116 |
| 2018 | 49.71% | +0.41pp | #115 |
| 2017 | 49.30% | +0.29pp | #117 |
| 2016 | 49.01% | +0.23pp | #119 |
| 2015 | 48.78% | +0.20pp | #117 |
| 2014 | 48.58% | −0.03pp | #117 |
| 2013 | 48.62% | +0.29pp | #116 |
| 2012 | 48.33% | +0.26pp | #117 |
| 2011 | 48.07% | +0.39pp | #116 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. 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
Papua New Guinea's female labor participation was 50.82% in 2025. Ranked 114th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's female labor participation peaked at 50.82% in 2025.
The lowest female labor participation in Papua New Guinea was 47.04% in 1994.
Papua New Guinea ranks 114th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's female labor participation is projected to reach 50.84% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 50.82%. This ranks 114th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_female-labor-participation,
title = {Papua New Guinea Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}