Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Pakistan lags South Asia in women's employment, report finds
A report says fewer women work for pay in Pakistan than in several nearby countries.
It says about 22-23 out of every 100 working-age Pakistani women take part in the economy.
This number has changed very little over about 25 years.
Many women who do work are in agriculture or help their families without receiving wages.
The report says there are not enough suitable industries and jobs for women.
It also says unsafe or expensive transportation can stop women from reaching workplaces.
Women may also lack financial support and incentives to start businesses.
Another major problem is that women do much more unpaid housework than men.
The report says better jobs and education will not be enough unless women also receive support with domestic responsibilities.
Pakistan's female labour-force participation is reported at 22-23%, far below several regional countries.
The 2024-25 Labour Force Survey found little change from 14% in 2001.
Nearly two-thirds of working Pakistani women are employed in agriculture, while half are unpaid family workers.
The report identifies limited industry, unsafe transport, weak business incentives and domestic work as major barriers.
An estimated 84% of working-age women perform domestic work, averaging 26 weekly hours versus 13 for men.
- Who
- Working-age women in Pakistan, compared with women in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
- What
- A report says Pakistan has made little progress in women's labour-force participation and trails several regional neighbours.
- When
- The figures come mainly from the 2024-25 Labour Force Survey, with comparisons to 2001.
- Where
- Pakistan, with comparisons to other South and Southeast Asian countries.
- Why
- The report attributes the gap to limited industrial growth, inadequate transport, weak entrepreneurship incentives and heavy unpaid domestic work.
Cultural-barrier explanation
Economic-ecosystem explanation
Main reason women remain outside paid work
Cultural-barrier explanation
Culture is often cited as the major barrier to women's employment.
Economic-ecosystem explanation
The report argues that university attendance by women, including in remote areas, suggests the larger obstacles are insufficient jobs, mobility, business support and help with domestic work.
What should change first
Cultural-barrier explanation
Efforts may focus on education and skills to make women more prepared for employment.
Economic-ecosystem explanation
The report says education and skills will not be sufficient without expanding industries, creating safe transport and reducing women's unpaid household responsibilities.
- Pakistan participation rate
- Reported as 23% in the article; the Labour Force Survey records 22% in 2024.
- Working-age women
- About 88 million in Pakistan.
- Women outside labour force
- The article says 68 million working-age women remain outside the labour force.
- Historical change
- Participation rose only from 14% in 2001 to about 22% in 2024.
- Agriculture
- Nearly two-thirds of working women are employed in agriculture.
- Unpaid work
- About half of working women are unpaid family workers.
- Domestic work
- An estimated 84% of working-age women bear domestic-work responsibilities.
- Weekly hours
- Women average 26 hours of work weekly compared with 13 hours for men, according to the article.