Malawi: Labor force participation

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Malawi

Labor force participation rate

 Latest value 68.97
 Year 2023
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1991 - 2023
 Average 75.76
 Min - Max 67.62 - 80.81
 Source The World Bank
The latest value from 2023 is 68.97 percent, an increase from 68.91 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 60.88 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Malawi from 1991 to 2023 is 75.76 percent. The minimum value, 67.62 percent, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 80.81 percent was recorded in 2002. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
Malawi - Labor force participation - Recent values chart

Historical series
Malawi - Labor force participation - historical chart - 1991-2023




The labor force participation rate is the percent of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active. That includes the employed and the unemployed individuals.
Definition: Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Labor force 8.37 2023 million people
 Unemployment rate 5.04 2023 percent
 Female unemployment 5.98 2023 percent
 Male unemployment 4.16 2023 percent
 Youth unemployment 6.76 2023 percent
 Labor force participation 68.97 2023 percent
 Labor force: percent female 48.47 2023 percent
 Female labor force participation 63.84 2023 percent
 Male labor force participation 74.60 2023 percent
 Self-employment 61.40 2022 percent
 Informal employment 85.20 2013 percent
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