1. EconomySaudi Arabia

   Saudi Arabia: the share of women working or looking for work rose 1.7 times in 6 years

   20% of women aged 15+ in 2017, 34% in 2023, 34% in 2025.

   Source: World Bank, from ILO modelled estimatesOpen on the chart →

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   Labour-force participation: the share of women aged 15+ who work or look for work. All women living in the country count, newcomers included.

   The line is women’s labour-force participation; the years of fastest growth are highlighted.

   • Female labour force participation % of women 15+

     19.9 (2017) → 33.6 (2025)

     World Bank, World Development Indicators

   ILO modelled estimates via the World Bank. Selection: countries of at least 5 million where the share rose by 12 percentage points or more within 8 years, starting from 30% or less.

   ILO modelled estimates smooth labour-force survey data; individual years may be revised.

   A question for this picture

   What changed most: the laws, the jobs open to women or their education?

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