Nepal—Female Labor Force Participation (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #168 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
27.5%
2025
YoY Change
+0.3%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#168
of 187 countries
Maximum
27.6%
2018
Minimum
21.3%
2000
CAGR
+1.0%
26 years
Last
27.5%
Previous
27.4%
Highest
27.6%
Lowest
21.3%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Nepal's female labor force participation (%) was 27.5% in 2025, ranking #168 out of 187 countries. This represents a +0.3% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 27.6% (2018) and the lowest was 21.3% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27.5% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 27.4% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 27.3% | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 27.2% | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 27.3% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 27.2% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 27.5% | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 27.6% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 27.5% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 27.3% | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 27.0% | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 26.6% | +1.6% |
| 2013 | 26.2% | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 25.7% | +2.0% |
| 2011 | 25.2% | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 24.1% | +2.1% |
| 2008 | 23.6% | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 23.2% | +1.6% |
| 2006 | 22.8% | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 22.5% | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 22.2% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 22.0% | +1.1% |
| 2002 | 21.7% | +1.1% |
| 2001 | 21.5% | +1.0% |
| 2000 | 21.3% |
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.