Syrian Arab Republic — Labor participation
Labor Force Participation Rate for Syrian Arab Republic, 1990–2025.
Labor participation for Syrian Arab Republic was 36.90% in 2025, according to the latest World Bank data. The series covers 36 years, from 1990 to 2025. The highest recorded value was 51.00% in 1990. The lowest was 35.91% in 2020 (about 1.0× the low point). Across that span the compound annual growth rate works out to -0.92% per year.
Syrian Arab Republic ranks 183 of 187 economies on this measure (1 = highest), putting it in the top 98%. The median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan is 44.99%, so Syrian Arab Republic sits below it. It peaked in 1990 and has fallen 28% since. Over the last decade (2015–2025) the figure moved down 2%. Within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan it ranks 21 of 23 economies; Yemen, Rep. (33.10%) is just below it. Its sharpest one-year move was down 10% in 2012.
Data highlights
World ranking. Slipped: 152nd of 187 in 1990 → 156th of 187 in 2000 → 176th of 187 in 2010 → 183rd of 187 in 2020 → 178th of 182 in 2025.
Key figures
Full history — 1990 to 2025
| Year | % of population ages 15+ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 36.9% | -0.1 pp |
| 2024 | 36.99% | -0.1 pp |
| 2023 | 37.13% | -0.2 pp |
| 2022 | 37.33% | +1.0 pp |
| 2021 | 36.33% | +0.4 pp |
| 2020 | 35.91% | -1.9 pp |
| 2019 | 37.84% | +0.1 pp |
| 2018 | 37.78% | +0.0 pp |
| 2017 | 37.74% | +0.0 pp |
| 2016 | 37.72% | +0.0 pp |
| 2015 | 37.71% | -0.0 pp |
| 2014 | 37.73% | -0.1 pp |
| 2013 | 37.78% | -1.4 pp |
| 2012 | 39.2% | -4.2 pp |
| 2011 | 43.4% | +0.7 pp |
| 2010 | 42.7% | -0.2 pp |
| 2009 | 42.94% | -0.7 pp |
| 2008 | 43.59% | -0.7 pp |
| 2007 | 44.25% | -1.6 pp |
| 2006 | 45.81% | -0.8 pp |
| 2005 | 46.57% | -0.8 pp |
| 2004 | 47.33% | -0.8 pp |
| 2003 | 48.09% | -0.9 pp |
| 2002 | 49.02% | -0.9 pp |
| 2001 | 49.96% | -0.9 pp |
| 2000 | 50.89% | +0.6 pp |
| 1999 | 50.31% | +0.6 pp |
| 1998 | 49.72% | +0.2 pp |
| 1997 | 49.54% | +0.2 pp |
| 1996 | 49.37% | +0.2 pp |
| 1995 | 49.19% | -0.8 pp |
| 1994 | 50% | -0.8 pp |
| 1993 | 50.8% | -0.0 pp |
| 1992 | 50.83% | -0.1 pp |
| 1991 | 50.96% | -0.0 pp |
| 1990 | 51% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What was Syrian Arab Republic’s Labor participation in 1991?
50.96% (1991). The full year-by-year table above lists every published year, most recent first.
Are changes in this series measured in percentage points?
Yes. The series is a share expressed in % of population ages 15+, so year-over-year movements in the Change column are percentage points (pp), not percent.
Is Syrian Arab Republic’s Labor participation growing or shrinking?
Between 1990 and 2025 the series was shrinking overall: -27.7% in total — about 0.9% a year compounded.
Where does this data come from?
World Bank Open Data (CC BY-4.0), indicator SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Values are reproduced as published; this page only computes summary statistics such as change, CAGR and extremes.
What are the most recent published figures?
The last five published years: 2025: 36.9%; 2024: 36.99%; 2023: 37.13%; 2022: 37.33%; 2021: 36.33%. Earlier years are in the full-history table below.
Related data
SL.TLF.CACT.ZS — Labor Force Participation Rate. Data licensed under CC BY 4.0. Values are reproduced as published; this page computes the summary statistics (change, CAGR, extremes) from the underlying annual series. View the original dataset on data.worldbank.org.