Female labor force participation across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose to 39.3% in 2025, reflecting continued progress in workforce diversification driven by higher employment and declining unemployment.
The number of employed women increased to 7.3 million in 2025, up from 5.7 million in 2020, according to data from the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Over the same period, employed women nationwide rose to 2.2 million from 1.7 million, accounting for 40.5% of the total employed population.
These gains come as Gulf economies, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, continue to expand private-sector employment and advance policies to increase female participation as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
In the tourism sector, women accounted for around 13.2% of the workforce in 2024, with female employment growing at an average annual rate of 9.5% between 2019 and 2024. This highlights their expanding role in one of the region’s fastest-growing industries.
The female unemployment rate stood at 10.5% in 2025. Between 2020 and 2025, labor force participation rose by 8%, unemployment declined by 26.1%, and the share of employed national women increased by 11%.
Women’s representation in the public sector edged up to 34.8% from 33.3%, while private-sector participation rose to 5.3% from 4.3%, indicating gradual but uneven progress in non-government employment.
Participation levels continue to vary across the region. Rates exceeded 60% in Qatar and crossed 40% in Oman by 2023, while Saudi Arabia remained in the mid-30% range. Female unemployment in Saudi Arabia also declined significantly, falling from 17.6% in 2021 to 11.2% in 2024.
According to GCC-Stat, women are playing an increasingly important role in the region’s economic development, supported by a young demographic profile and rising labor-market participation. Their contribution is particularly notable in sectors such as healthcare, education, and tourism.
The female population across GCC countries reached approximately 22.9 million in 2024, marking a 15.8% increase since 2019, with those of working age accounting for 69.5%.
Sectoral data shows women make up 73.76% of nursing staff, 63.8% of general education teachers, and 41.2% of higher education roles, underscoring their strong presence in key social sectors.
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