Zambia Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Zambia's female labor participation was 56.43% in 2025, ranked 72nd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Zambia's female labor participation stood at 56.43% in 2025, a rise of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.55% by 2026. Zambia ranked 72nd globally.
Zambia’s female labor‑force participation has risen steadily over the 36‑year span from 51.00 % in 1990 to 56.43 % in 2025, marking both the all‑time trough and the all‑time peak in the same year and placing the country 72nd globally. This modest upward trajectory reflects gradual improvements in women’s access to formal and informal employment, yet the level remains just below that of peer economies such as Finland (56.49 %) and the United States (56.34 %). The increase of 5.43 percentage points since 1990 suggests that policy measures aimed at expanding vocational training, childcare support, and gender‑responsive labor market reforms have begun to bear fruit, although structural constraints in agriculture and mining still limit broader gains. Continued investment in education and targeted incentives for female entrepreneurship could accelerate participation rates, potentially moving Zambia closer to the participation levels of the highest‑ranking peers in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 58.95% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 58.25% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 57.55% | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.43% | +0.06pp | #72 |
| 2024 | 56.37% | +0.01pp | #73 |
| 2023 | 56.36% | +2.39pp | #72 |
| 2022 | 53.97% | −0.15pp | #84 |
| 2021 | 54.12% | −0.28pp | #79 |
| 2020 | 54.41% | +2.23pp | #78 |
| 2019 | 52.17% | +0.03pp | #100 |
| 2018 | 52.14% | +0.13pp | #99 |
| 2017 | 52.01% | +0.12pp | #99 |
| 2016 | 51.89% | +0.11pp | #100 |
| 2015 | 51.79% | +0.10pp | #99 |
| 2014 | 51.69% | +0.08pp | #98 |
| 2013 | 51.61% | +0.06pp | #97 |
| 2012 | 51.55% | +0.05pp | #96 |
| 2011 | 51.50% | +0.04pp | #100 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia 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
Zambia's female labor participation was 56.43% in 2025. Ranked 72nd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's female labor participation peaked at 56.43% in 2025.
The lowest female labor participation in Zambia was 51.00% in 1990.
Zambia ranks 72nd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's female labor participation is projected to reach 57.55% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Zambia in 2025 was 56.43%. This ranks 72nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_female-labor-participation,
title = {Zambia Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}