Lesotho—Female Labor Force Participation (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #124 of 187Updated May 2026
Latest Value
48.1%
2025
YoY Change
-0.8%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#124
of 187 countries
Maximum
66.7%
2000
Minimum
48.1%
2025
CAGR
-1.3%
26 years
Last
48.1%
Previous
48.5%
Highest
66.7%
Lowest
48.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Lesotho's female labor force participation (%) was 48.1% in 2025, ranking #124 out of 187 countries. This represents a -0.8% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 66.7% (2000) and the lowest was 48.1% (2025). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48.1% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 48.5% | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 48.4% | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 48.4% | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 48.3% | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 48.5% | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 49.0% | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 50.4% | -2.7% |
| 2017 | 51.8% | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 53.1% | -2.5% |
| 2015 | 54.5% | -2.5% |
| 2014 | 55.9% | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 57.3% | -1.3% |
| 2012 | 58.0% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 58.8% | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 59.5% | -1.2% |
| 2009 | 60.3% | -1.2% |
| 2008 | 61.0% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 61.7% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 62.5% | -1.1% |
| 2005 | 63.2% | -1.1% |
| 2004 | 63.9% | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 64.6% | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 65.3% | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 66.0% | -1.0% |
| 2000 | 66.7% |
Top Countries — Female Labor Force Participation (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madagascar | 82.9% | 2025 |
| 2 | Solomon Islands | 82.3% | 2025 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 80.7% | 2025 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 80.3% | 2025 |
| 5 | Burundi | 79.5% | 2025 |
| 6 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 77.7% | 2025 |
| 7 | Cambodia | 77.4% | 2025 |
| 8 | Mozambique | 77.1% | 2025 |
| 9 | Uganda | 75.6% | 2025 |
| 10 | Benin | 75.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.