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Saudi Arabia Female Labor Participation

Female labor force participation rate  SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS

33.57% +0.27pp (+0.8%)
Year 2025 Rank #159 Global Peak 34.28% (2023) Source World Bank

Saudi Arabia Female Labor Participation (1990–2025)

Overview

Saudi Arabia's female labor participation stood at 33.57% in 2025, a rise of +0.27pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 33.27% by 2026. Saudi Arabia ranked 159th globally.

Data & projection

Year Female Labor Participation YoY change Rank
2028* trend 32.85% - -
2027* trend 33.06% - -
2026* trend 33.27% - -
2025 33.57% +0.27pp #159
2024 33.31% −0.97pp #159
2023 34.28% +0.18pp #160
2022 34.10% −0.12pp #160
2021 34.22% +4.91pp #160
2020 29.31% +4.94pp #164
2019 24.37% +2.54pp #170
2018 21.82% +1.97pp #172
2017 19.86% −3.01pp #178
2016 22.87% +1.23pp #174
2015 21.64% +1.36pp #176
2014 20.28% +0.46pp #177
2013 19.82% +0.06pp #177
2012 19.76% +0.80pp #177
2011 18.95% +1.33pp #177
Show all years (1990-2025)
* Linear trend extrapolation

Detected Pattern

Export Boom Cycle
Current account surplus with strong export growth (>15% YoY), reserve accumulation, and moderate GDP growth. Typical of commodity exporters during price surges.
Reserves YoY +21.1% GDP growth 5.8% C/A balance 22.8%
Occurred 768 times, 546 successful
Reserves YoY
+25.6%
GDP growth
4.0%
C/A balance
14.5%
Reserves YoY
+14.6%
GDP growth
3.7%
C/A balance
2.9%
Reserves YoY
+12.8%
GDP growth
43.8%
C/A balance
16.4%
Reserves YoY
+12.6%
GDP growth
6.0%
C/A balance
0.5%
Reserves YoY
+38.3%
GDP growth
5.0%
C/A balance
1.2%
Reserves YoY
+18.0%
GDP growth
2.9%
C/A balance
3.9%

Analysis

Saudi Arabia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. 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

What is Saudi Arabia's female labor participation?

Saudi Arabia's female labor participation was 33.57% in 2025. Ranked 159th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.

What was the highest female labor participation in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's female labor participation peaked at 34.28% in 2023.

What was the lowest female labor participation in Saudi Arabia?

The lowest female labor participation in Saudi Arabia was 14.91% in 1991.

How does Saudi Arabia rank in female labor participation?

Saudi Arabia ranks 159th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.

What is the World Bank indicator code for female labor participation?

The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the projected female labor participation of Saudi Arabia in 2026?

Saudi Arabia's female labor participation is projected to reach 33.27% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.

What is the female labor participation of Saudi Arabia in 2025?

The female labor participation of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 33.57%. This ranks 159th in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Saudi Arabia Female Labor Participation. HistorySaid. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/female-labor-participation
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_female-labor-participation, title = {Saudi Arabia Female Labor Participation}, url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/female-labor-participation}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }