Women in the labor force in Bangladesh: 38.6% (Women in work, 2025 · 153rd of 184). Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Bangladesh: 38.6% in 2025, ranking 153rd of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 35.7%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Bangladesh for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of women 15+. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Bangladesh's women in work rose from 35.7% to 38.6%, a rise of 2.9 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 43.7% in 2022; the lowest was 33.5% in 2016.
- Recently, the figure has fallen in each of the last two years (2024: 38.7%; 2025: 38.6%).
- That is 10.3 percentage points below the world figure of 48.9%.
- Bangladesh has the 153rd-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- In Southern Asia, Bangladesh has the 3rd-highest value of 9 countries with recent data; the highest is Bhutan (56.7%), and the typical (median) value is 31.0%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 34.4% in 2010 to 2014, 36.2% in 2015 to 2019 and 40.9% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 6 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 9. The biggest one-year rise came in 2017 (+3.2 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2024 (−3.2 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 3.4 percentage points around its average of 37.4%, a volatile pattern.
Bangladesh and its neighbours
Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) among 9 countries in Southern Asia with recent data, ranked from highest to lowest.
| Rank in region | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhutan | 56.7% | 2025 |
| 2 | Maldives | 40.7% | 2025 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 38.6% | 2025 |
| 4 | India | 32.4% | 2025 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 31.0% | 2025 |
| 6 | Nepal | 27.5% | 2025 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 24.0% | 2025 |
Bangladesh on related measures
- Unemployment (% of labor force): 3.8% (2025, 120th-highest of 184 countries)
- Labor force (people): 74.7 million (2025, 8th-highest of 184 countries)
- Employment to population ratio (% of people 15+): 56.6% (2025, 102nd-highest of 184 countries)
- GDP per person (current US$): $2,597 (2025, 163rd-highest of 204 countries)
- GDP growth (annual %): 3.5% (2025, 95th-highest of 204 countries)
Global position: Bangladesh's figure is higher than 17% of the 184 countries with data for this measure.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Southern Asia, where the typical value is 31.0%, Bangladesh is 7.7 percentage points higher.
About this statistic
The share of women aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators.
For the full definition, caveats and every country ranked, see Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) by country, 2025.
Questions and answers
What is the women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Bangladesh?
38.6% (Women in work, 2025 · 153rd of 184). Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Bangladesh: 38.6% in 2025, ranking 153rd of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 35.7%.
How has women in work in Bangladesh changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Bangladesh's women in work rose from 35.7% to 38.6%, a rise of 2.9 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 43.7% in 2022; the lowest was 33.5% in 2016.
How this page was made
Generated by Advanton from World Bank, World Development Indicators (2010–2025), data updated 8 November 2026: chart, ranks, comparisons and text are computed from the published figures; no figures are changed. About the data.
Data
| Year | Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 35.7% |
| 2011 | 35.0% |
| 2012 | 34.3% |
| 2013 | 33.6% |
| 2014 | 33.6% |
| 2015 | 33.5% |
| 2016 | 33.5% |
| 2017 | 36.7% |
| 2018 | 38.1% |
| 2019 | 39.3% |
| 2020 | 40.3% |
| 2021 | 42.2% |
| 2022 | 43.7% |
| 2023 | 41.9% |
| 2024 | 38.7% |
| 2025 | 38.6% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Bangladesh.
The share of women aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Shapes household incomes, demand for childcare and convenience services, and the pool of workers.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) by country, 2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Afghanistan, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Bhutan, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in India, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Iran, 2010–2025
- GDP of Bangladesh, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Bangladesh, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Bangladesh, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Bangladesh, 2010–2024
All Bangladesh data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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