New Zealand—Female Labor Force Participation (%)
New Zealand's female labor force participation (%) was 66.1% in 2025, ranking #21 out of 187 countries. This represents a -0.3% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 66.9% (2023) and the lowest was 56.7% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 66.1% | -0.3% |
| 2024 | 66.3% | -1.0% |
| 2023 | 66.9% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 66.4% | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 65.6% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 64.7% | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 65.3% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 65.2% | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 64.9% | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 64.0% | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 62.9% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 62.8% | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 61.9% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 62.0% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 61.9% | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 61.4% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 61.5% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 61.5% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 61.1% | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 60.7% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 60.1% | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 59.1% | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 58.6% | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 58.3% | +1.2% |
| 2001 | 57.6% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 56.7% |
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.
Unit
% of female population ages 15+