Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Ethiopia: 58.5% in 2025, ranking 58th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 74.4%.
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Ethiopia 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, Ethiopia's women in work fell from 74.4% to 58.5%, a fall of 15.9 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 74.4% in 2010; the lowest was 57.6% in 2021.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2024: 58.4%; 2025: 58.5%).
- That is 9.5 percentage points above the world figure of 48.9%.
- Ethiopia has the 58th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- In Eastern Africa, Ethiopia has the 10th-highest value of 17 countries with recent data; the highest is Madagascar (82.9%), and the typical (median) value is 62.2%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 73.9% in 2010 to 2014, 66.1% in 2015 to 2019 and 58.3% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 4 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 11. The biggest one-year rise came in 2022 (+0.4 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2020 (−2.7 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 6.9 percentage points around its average of 65.6%, a volatile pattern.
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 Eastern Africa, where the typical value is 62.2%, Ethiopia is 3.7 percentage points lower.
Related figures
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) by country, 2025: 82.9% (highest: Madagascar). The share of women aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work.
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Burundi, 2010–2025: 79.5% (Women in work, 2025 · 5th of 184). Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Burundi: 79.5% in 2025, ranking 5th of 184 countries.
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Comoros, 2010–2025: 47.6% (Women in work, 2025 · 126th of 184). Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Comoros: 47.6% in 2025, ranking 126th of 184 countries.
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. Shapes household incomes, demand for childcare and convenience services, and the pool of workers.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Ethiopia?
58.5% (Women in work, 2025 · 58th of 184). Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Ethiopia: 58.5% in 2025, ranking 58th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 74.4%.
How has women in work in Ethiopia changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Ethiopia's women in work fell from 74.4% to 58.5%, a fall of 15.9 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 74.4% in 2010; the lowest was 57.6% in 2021.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. 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.
Data
| Year | Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 74.4% |
| 2011 | 74.3% |
| 2012 | 74.3% |
| 2013 | 74.3% |
| 2014 | 72.2% |
| 2015 | 70.2% |
| 2016 | 68.1% |
| 2017 | 66.1% |
| 2018 | 64.1% |
| 2019 | 62.0% |
| 2020 | 59.3% |
| 2021 | 57.6% |
| 2022 | 58.0% |
| 2023 | 58.1% |
| 2024 | 58.4% |
| 2025 | 58.5% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Ethiopia.
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 Burundi, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Comoros, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Djibouti, 2010–2025
- Women in the labor force (% of women 15+) in Eritrea, 2010–2025
- GDP of Ethiopia, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Ethiopia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Ethiopia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Ethiopia, 2010–2024
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