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People / Gender gaps

Gender gaps

Labour participation, political representation, and composite gender indices across the SEA-11. Read the insight →
Separate frameworks · mixed vintages

Female labour-force participation

The Philippines has the lowest female participation among Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The regional view also includes Myanmar, which is lower.

% of female population aged 15+

MODELLED ILO / WDI · 2025

SEA-11 · Singapore is regional context, outside the peer five. Regional scales stay fixed when filtering.

Female labour-force participation: source, year and as_of by country
Country% of female population aged 15+
0100
YearSource & notes
Cambodia77.42025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 77.351.

Vietnam68.62025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 68.551.

Singapore63.62025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 63.569.

Timor-Leste61.72025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 61.676.

Laos61.62025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 61.56.

Thailand59.02025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 58.963.

Brunei54.42025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 54.436.

Indonesia53.72025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 53.72.

Malaysia51.62025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 51.643.

Philippines50.52025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 50.489.

Myanmar40.92025
World Bank WDI SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS (modeled ILO estimate) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Female LFPR (% of female population ages 15+). Modeled ILO estimate via WDI. API-verified 2026-09-06.

Original CSV value: 40.941.

Philippines highlighted. Bars start at zero; gaps have no bars. GII sorts from lower to higher inequality; other panels sort by descending value.

Labour-force participation gap

The gap subtracts female from male participation using same-year modelled ILO observations. Percentage points are not a percentage change.

Percentage points · male minus female

MODELLED ILO / WDI · 2025

SEA-11 · Singapore is regional context, outside the peer five. Regional scales stay fixed when filtering.

Labour-force participation gap: source, year and as_of by country
CountryPercentage points · male minus female
040
YearSource & notes
Myanmar28.72025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 28.719.

Indonesia28.62025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 28.558.

Malaysia27.62025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 27.568.

Philippines22.02025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 21.975.

Brunei18.42025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 18.366.

Thailand16.02025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 16.018.

Singapore11.82025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 11.803.

Timor-Leste10.62025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 10.571.

Cambodia10.52025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 10.465.

Laos9.12025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 9.069.

Vietnam8.82025
Derived: WDI male LFPR − female LFPR (SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS − SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender LFPR gap in percentage points (male minus female). Positive = male participation higher. Derived from same-year WDI modeled ILO.

Original CSV value: 8.777.

Philippines highlighted. Bars start at zero; gaps have no bars. GII sorts from lower to higher inequality; other panels sort by descending value.

Women in parliament

Myanmar retains its older 2021 observation and political-context caveat. Brunei’s Legislative Council is appointed; the shares do not establish equivalent electoral systems.

% of parliamentary seats

WDI / IPU · MIXED VINTAGES

SEA-11 · Singapore is regional context, outside the peer five. Regional scales stay fixed when filtering.

Women in parliament: source, year and as_of by country
Country% of parliamentary seats
0100
YearSource & notes
Timor-Leste35.42025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 35.3846153846154.

Singapore32.32025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 32.3232323232323.

Vietnam31.42025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 31.3807531380753.

Philippines28.32025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 28.343949044586.

Laos22.02025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 21.9512195121951.

Indonesia21.92025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 21.8965517241379.

Thailand19.62025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 19.5959595959596.

MyanmarOlder observation · political context15.3†2021 · OLDER
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2021 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU. Vintage 2021 (latest WDI). STALE relative to peers on 2025 — badge year. Myanmar political context caveat.

Original CSV value: 15.2941176470588.

Cambodia13.62025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 13.6.

Malaysia13.52025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU.

Original CSV value: 13.5135135135135.

BruneiAppointed Legislative Council11.42025
World Bank WDI SG.GEN.PARL.ZS (Inter-Parliamentary Union) · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). WDI series sourced from IPU. Brunei appointed Legislative Council — interpret with institutional caveat.

Original CSV value: 11.4285714285714.

Philippines highlighted. Bars start at zero; gaps have no bars. GII sorts from lower to higher inequality; other panels sort by descending value.

UNDP Gender Inequality Index

Lower GII indicates less inequality. This index is separate from WEF gender parity: the two indices have different constructs and opposite directions.

Index 0–1 · higher = more inequality

UNDP GII · 2023

SEA-11 · Singapore is regional context, outside the peer five. Regional scales stay fixed when filtering.

UNDP Gender Inequality Index: source, year and as_of by country
CountryIndex 0–1 · higher = more inequality
01
YearSource & notes
Singapore0.031Global rank 82023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 8 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.031.

Malaysia0.172Global rank 472023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 47 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.172.

Brunei0.257Global rank 662023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 66 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.257.

Thailand0.288Global rank 732023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 73 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.288.

Vietnam0.299Global rank 782023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 78 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.299.

Philippines0.351Global rank 862023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 86 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.351.

Timor-Leste0.394Global rank 992023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 99 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.394.

Indonesia0.423Global rank 1082023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 108 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.423.

Laos0.475Global rank 1172023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 117 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.475.

Myanmar0.478Global rank 1182023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 118 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.478.

Cambodia0.506Global rank 1362023
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 values) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
UNDP Human Development Report 2025 Statistical Annex Table 5 (GII 2023 ranks) · year 2023 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

Gender Inequality Index (0=equality, higher=more inequality). Rank 136 of HDR 2025 table.

Original CSV value: 0.506.

Philippines highlighted. Bars start at zero; gaps have no bars. GII sorts from lower to higher inequality; other panels sort by descending value.

WEF Global Gender Gap Index

The Philippines leads the published regional scores, but that does not mean gender gaps are closed. Myanmar has no score or rank in this edition.

Index 0–1 · higher = more parity

WEF GGG · 2025

SEA-11 · Singapore is regional context, outside the peer five. Regional scales stay fixed when filtering.

WEF Global Gender Gap Index: source, year and as_of by country
CountryIndex 0–1 · higher = more parity
01
YearSource & notes
Philippines0.781Global rank 202025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 20. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.781.

Singapore0.748Global rank 472025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 47. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.748.

Thailand0.728Global rank 662025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 66. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.728.

Vietnam0.713Global rank 742025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 74. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.713.

Timor-Leste0.704Global rank 862025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 86. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.704.

Indonesia0.692Global rank 972025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 97. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.692.

Laos0.692Global rank 962025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 96. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.692.

Cambodia0.682Global rank 1062025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 106. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.682.

Brunei0.681Global rank 1072025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 107. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.681.

Malaysia0.681Global rank 1082025
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year 2025 · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GGGI score 0–1 (higher=more parity). Global rank 108. Cross-checked vs published 2025 rankings table.

Original CSV value: 0.681.

Myanmar—GAP · not zero—
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 · year not available · as_of 2026-09-06
Observation notes

GAP: Myanmar not covered in WEF GGGR 2025 edition (last ranked 2023).

Original CSV value: not supplied.

Philippines highlighted. Bars start at zero; gaps have no bars. GII sorts from lower to higher inequality; other panels sort by descending value.

Secondary enrolment context

Philippines secondary gender parity index: 1.077 · female/male gross enrolment ratio. Above one means female gross enrolment exceeds male, not equal learning outcomes.

World Bank WDI SE.ENR.SECO.FM.ZS (UNESCO UIS gender parity index) · year 2021 · as_of 2026-09-06

Key findings from this pack

  • The Philippines leads the published SEA-11 WEF scores while female participation is lowest among its four peers.
  • The Philippine participation gap is wider than Thailand’s and Vietnam’s, but narrower than Malaysia’s and Indonesia’s.
  • GII inequality and WEF gender parity measure different constructs with opposite directions.
  • Myanmar’s WEF entry is a gap; older parliamentary and enrolment observations retain their years.

Methods & coverage

Participation and percentage-point gaps

Female and male participation use WDI modelled ILO estimates for 2025, aligned with the Labour & youth pack. The gap is male minus female in percentage points, calculated in the supplied pack from the same-year series. ASEAN Key Figures official participation estimates are not substituted. Peer mode includes PH / MY / TH / VN / ID only.

Different composite indices

UNDP GII uses 2023 observations from the HDR 2025 annex; higher values mean more inequality. WEF GGG uses the 2025 edition; higher values mean more gender parity. Scores and global ranks remain separate observations with their own provenance. The indices are not averaged, added or put on one axis. Myanmar’s WEF score and rank are intentional gaps, never zero-filled.

Representation and enrolment vintages

Women’s parliamentary share uses WDI/IPU 2025 observations except Myanmar, whose 2021 value is flagged as older and requires political context. Brunei’s appointed Legislative Council is not an equivalent electoral institution. Secondary GPI has mixed older vintages; the PH observation is 2021. Vietnam’s official GPI series is empty, so the pack explicitly derives its 2022 ratio from female and male gross secondary enrolment. Enrolment parity is not learning parity.

Original gaps & vintage notes · Pack definitions · Research brief

Use this research

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ASEAN in Data (2026). Gender gaps. /topics/gender-gaps

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