Timor-Leste Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Timor-Leste's agriculture employment was 46.02% in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's agriculture employment stood at 46.02% in 2025, a decline of +0.33% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.70% by 2026. Timor-Leste ranked 157th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has fallen markedly since the early 1990s, declining from an all‑time peak of 59.74 % in 1991 to a trough of 37.84 % in 2021, before rising modestly to 46.02 % in 2025, placing the country 157th globally. The downward trajectory reflects structural shifts as the economy expands into services and modest industrial activity, yet agriculture remains a central source of livelihoods in a largely rural population. Compared with peers of similar rank, Timor‑Leste’s 2025 figure is close to Kenya’s 45.79 % and Haiti’s 46.61 %, underscoring a regional pattern where agricultural employment hovers around mid‑40 % levels despite divergent development pathways. The modest rebound after 2021 suggests that policy interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity, market access, and climate resilience could stabilize or even increase the sector’s share of employment, while continued diversification may keep the proportion from returning to its historic peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 52.59% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 51.14% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 49.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | 46.02% | −0.33% | #157 |
| 2024 | 46.35% | −2.04% | #156 |
| 2023 | 48.39% | +0.12% | #158 |
| 2022 | 48.27% | +10.43% | #160 |
| 2021 | 37.84% | −1.52% | #143 |
| 2020 | 39.36% | −0.44% | #144 |
| 2019 | 39.80% | −3.27% | #144 |
| 2018 | 43.07% | −0.69% | #152 |
| 2017 | 43.76% | −0.36% | #152 |
| 2016 | 44.11% | −1.26% | #152 |
| 2015 | 45.38% | −1.32% | #152 |
| 2014 | 46.69% | −1.28% | #153 |
| 2013 | 47.97% | −0.83% | #153 |
| 2012 | 48.80% | −0.74% | #154 |
| 2011 | 49.54% | −1.23% | #153 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Timor-Leste matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's agriculture employment was 46.02% in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's agriculture employment peaked at 59.74% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Timor-Leste was 37.84% in 2021.
Timor-Leste ranks 157th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Timor-Leste's agriculture employment is projected to reach 49.70% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 46.02%. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_agriculture-employment,
title = {Timor-Leste Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}