Thailand Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Thailand's female labor participation was 58.96% in 2025, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Thailand's female labor participation stood at 58.96% in 2025, a decline of +0.51pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 59.34% by 2026. Thailand ranked 55th globally.
Thailand’s female labor‑force participation has declined steadily from a high of 67.74 % in 1997 to a trough of 58.90 % in 2019, reaching 58.96 % in 2025 and ranking 55th globally. The 36‑year series shows a loss of almost nine percentage points, reversing gains made in the early 1990s when participation stood at 65.61 %. Compared with peers of similar rank, Thailand’s rate is marginally below Paraguay’s 59.01 % and China’s 59.15 %, yet slightly above Albania’s 58.57 % and Haiti’s 58.34 %. The downward trajectory reflects structural shifts such as aging demographics, persistent gender gaps in education and employment, and limited part‑time or flexible work options for women. If policy reforms expand childcare provision, promote sectoral diversification, and incentivise formal hiring of women, the long‑term trend could stabilize or even reverse, lifting Thailand’s female labor participation above the regional average.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 59.23% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 59.29% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 59.34% | - | - |
| 2025 | 58.96% | −0.51pp | #55 |
| 2024 | 59.47% | −0.84pp | #51 |
| 2023 | 60.31% | +0.73pp | #49 |
| 2022 | 59.58% | +0.40pp | #52 |
| 2021 | 59.18% | +0.07pp | #49 |
| 2020 | 59.11% | +0.21pp | #47 |
| 2019 | 58.90% | −0.67pp | #53 |
| 2018 | 59.57% | +0.22pp | #48 |
| 2017 | 59.35% | −0.82pp | #46 |
| 2016 | 60.17% | −0.90pp | #46 |
| 2015 | 61.07% | −0.38pp | #42 |
| 2014 | 61.45% | −0.33pp | #38 |
| 2013 | 61.78% | −3.29pp | #37 |
| 2012 | 65.07% | −0.73pp | #30 |
| 2011 | 65.81% | +2.12pp | #28 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. 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
Thailand's female labor participation was 58.96% in 2025. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Thailand's female labor participation peaked at 67.74% in 1997.
The lowest female labor participation in Thailand was 58.90% in 2019.
Thailand ranks 55th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's female labor participation is projected to reach 59.34% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Thailand in 2025 was 58.96%. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_female-labor-participation,
title = {Thailand Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}