Timor-Leste Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Timor-Leste's services employment was 50.18% in 2025, ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's services employment stood at 50.18% in 2025, a rise of +0.34% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.75% by 2026. Timor-Leste ranked 58th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s share of the labour force employed in services rose from a low of 33.79 percent in 1991, the all‑time trough, to 50.18 percent in 2025, placing the country 58th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the early 2000s, reaching an all‑time peak of 50.63 percent in 2021 before a modest retreat the following year. Over the 35‑year span, the services sector’s contribution has expanded by roughly 16.39 percentage points, reflecting structural shifts toward tourism, telecommunications and public administration as the economy diversified beyond agriculture and extractives. Timor‑Leste’s 2025 figure is virtually identical to Indonesia’s 50.17 percent and closely matches Uzbekistan’s 50.19 percent, underscoring convergence with other emerging Asian economies that have similarly deepened service‑sector employment. Continued investment in human‑capital development and digital infrastructure could sustain the upward swing, while external shocks to tourism or fiscal constraints might temper future gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 50.01% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 49.88% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 49.75% | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.18% | +0.34% | #58 |
| 2024 | 49.83% | +1.32% | #58 |
| 2023 | 48.51% | +0.93% | #55 |
| 2022 | 47.59% | −3.05% | #53 |
| 2021 | 50.63% | +1.85% | #68 |
| 2020 | 48.79% | +1.41% | #57 |
| 2019 | 47.38% | +1.34% | #54 |
| 2018 | 46.04% | +1.57% | #53 |
| 2017 | 44.47% | +1.72% | #49 |
| 2016 | 42.75% | +0.55% | #45 |
| 2015 | 42.20% | +0.84% | #44 |
| 2014 | 41.37% | +0.60% | #45 |
| 2013 | 40.77% | +0.24% | #44 |
| 2012 | 40.53% | +0.12% | #46 |
| 2011 | 40.40% | +0.50% | #47 |
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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's services employment was 50.18% in 2025. Ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's services employment peaked at 50.63% in 2021.
The lowest services employment in Timor-Leste was 33.79% in 1991.
Timor-Leste ranks 58th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Timor-Leste's services employment is projected to reach 49.75% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 50.18%. This ranks 58th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_services-employment,
title = {Timor-Leste Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}