Zambia Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Zambia's labor force participation was 61.93% in 2025, ranked 88th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Zambia's labor force participation stood at 61.93% in 2025, a rise of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 62.90% by 2026. Zambia ranked 88th globally.
Zambia’s labor force participation rate has risen modestly over the 36‑year series, moving from 59.65 % in 1990 to 61.93 % in 2025, which places the country 88th globally. The upward trajectory peaked at 61.96 % in 2023 after a low of 58.48 % in 2018, suggesting a gradual recovery from the post‑global‑financial‑crisis slowdown that depressed employment prospects across many low‑income economies. Compared with peers of similar rank, Zambia’s rate is slightly below El Salvador’s 62.11 % and marginally above Argentina’s 61.91 %, reflecting comparable labor market dynamics in emerging markets that balance informal sector growth with limited formal job creation. The persistent, albeit modest, increase indicates that demographic expansion and modest improvements in education and health are slowly drawing more people into the labor market. Continued investment in skills development and diversification of the economy could sustain the upward trend and lift participation further in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 64.10% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 63.50% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 62.90% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.93% | +0.03pp | #88 |
| 2024 | 61.90% | −0.06pp | #89 |
| 2023 | 61.96% | +2.43pp | #90 |
| 2022 | 59.53% | −0.57pp | #109 |
| 2021 | 60.10% | −0.77pp | #99 |
| 2020 | 60.87% | +1.33pp | #87 |
| 2019 | 59.54% | +1.07pp | #110 |
| 2018 | 58.48% | −0.10pp | #123 |
| 2017 | 58.58% | −0.10pp | #121 |
| 2016 | 58.67% | −0.09pp | #117 |
| 2015 | 58.76% | −0.08pp | #118 |
| 2014 | 58.84% | −0.07pp | #118 |
| 2013 | 58.91% | −0.06pp | #118 |
| 2012 | 58.97% | −0.05pp | #116 |
| 2011 | 59.02% | −0.04pp | #116 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's labor force participation was 61.93% in 2025. Ranked 88th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's labor force participation peaked at 61.96% in 2023.
The lowest labor force participation in Zambia was 58.48% in 2018.
Zambia ranks 88th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's labor force participation is projected to reach 62.90% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Zambia in 2025 was 61.93%. This ranks 88th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_labor-force-participation,
title = {Zambia Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}