The lowest female employment rate worldwide was found in Iraq, reaching only eight percent. The Palestinian Territories and Sudan followed behind. A high number of the countries on the list are predominantly Muslim. Bahamas had the highest female employment rate in the world.
20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023
* The most recent numbers vary from country to country, the year of the most recent value is given in brackets. Countries for which numbers were only available 2017 or previously are not included.
The source adds the following information regarding methodology: "The employment-to-population ratio expresses the number of persons who are employed as a percent of the total working age population. The series is part of the ILO modelled estimates and is harmonized to account for differences in national data and scope of coverage, collection and tabulation methodologies as well as for other country-specific factors."
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ILO. (January 26, 2025). 20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 06, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/
ILO. "20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023." Chart. January 26, 2025. Statista. Accessed May 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/
ILO. (2025). 20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/
ILO. "20 Countries with The Lowest Female Employment Rates Worldwide in 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jan 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/
ILO, 20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/ (last visited May 06, 2025)
20 countries with the lowest female employment rates worldwide in 2023 [Graph], ILO, January 26, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339171/countries-lowest-female-employment-rate-worldwide/
