The female contribution to the overall economy, particularly in agriculture is high throughout Asia.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam have particularly
high percentages of women employed in the agricultural sector, with estimates ranging between 60 and 98
percent (FAO, 2003). Among the neighboring countries, only 59 per cent of Bangladeshi women, as
compared to over 74 per cent of Indian, 64 per cent Pakistani and 85 per cent Nepali women, are
employed in agriculture. Indeed, in most Asian countries the number of women employed in agriculture
as a percentage of the economically active population is higher than that of men. However, women's
contribution to agriculture, which is considered as unpaid family labor, is grossly underestimated. In fact,
if unpaid work were included, the figures for female employment in agriculture would be even higher
(FAO, 2003).
FAO has noted that while the overall proportion of the economically active population (EAP) working in
agriculture declined during the 1990s, the percentage of economically active women working in
agriculture at the global level remained nearly 50 percent through 2000, with an even higher percentage in
developing countries (61 percent) and in LDCs (79 percent). Furthermore, although FAO projections to
2010 indicate a continued reduction in the overall female participation in agriculture globally, the
percentage of economically active women working in agriculture in LDCs is projected to remain above
70 percent. The chart below compares FAO estimates of the proportions of the female economically
active population working in agriculture, first at the global level, and then for developing countries, lowincome
food deficit countries (LIFDCs) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).