Timor-Leste Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Timor-Leste's female labor participation was 61.68% in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's female labor participation stood at 61.68% in 2025, a rise of +0.22pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 61.62% by 2026. Timor-Leste ranked 40th globally.
Timor-Leste's female labor force participation rate was recorded at 61.68% in 2025, placing it 40th globally, according to World Bank data. This marks a modest recovery from its all-time low of 60.46% in 2020, which followed a broader downward trend from a peak of 67.53% in 1999. The rate has declined by over five percentage points since 1990, when it stood at 66.88%, indicating a gradual contraction in women’s labor market engagement over the past three decades. In comparative context, Timor-Leste's participation rate is closely aligned with that of peer nations such as Lao PDR at 61.56% and the Democratic Republic of Congo at 61.85%. Despite recent improvement from the 2020 trough, the persistent decline since the late 1990s suggests structural barriers, including limited access to education, healthcare, and formal employment opportunities for women. Sustained increases in female labor participation will likely depend on targeted policy interventions, such as expanding childcare support and promoting gender-inclusive economic development strategies in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 61.87% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 61.74% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 61.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.68% | +0.22pp | #40 |
| 2024 | 61.46% | +0.68pp | #42 |
| 2023 | 60.77% | −0.39pp | #48 |
| 2022 | 61.17% | −0.05pp | #39 |
| 2021 | 61.21% | +0.76pp | #36 |
| 2020 | 60.46% | −0.58pp | #37 |
| 2019 | 61.03% | −0.59pp | #40 |
| 2018 | 61.62% | +0.14pp | #34 |
| 2017 | 61.48% | +0.22pp | #37 |
| 2016 | 61.26% | −0.04pp | #39 |
| 2015 | 61.30% | −0.07pp | #39 |
| 2014 | 61.37% | −0.14pp | #39 |
| 2013 | 61.51% | −0.07pp | #38 |
| 2012 | 61.58% | −0.12pp | #40 |
| 2011 | 61.70% | −0.22pp | #37 |
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 female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's female labor participation was 61.68% in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's female labor participation peaked at 67.54% in 1999.
The lowest female labor participation in Timor-Leste was 60.46% in 2020.
Timor-Leste ranks 40th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Timor-Leste's female labor participation is projected to reach 61.62% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 61.68%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_female-labor-participation,
title = {Timor-Leste Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}