Promoting Gender-Sensitive Business Environment Reform in South-East Asia

Women are playing an increasingly active role in South-East Asian economies. In terms of labour force participation rates (LFPR), the region has surpassed most other world regions. As of 2022, LFPR of women aged 25-54 in South-East Asia was 72 percent compared to a global average of 51.6 percent and not much behind that of Northern America and Europe (77.5 percent). However, within the region, gender gaps still per-sist in the region’s labour markets, hindering wom-en’s full economic participation.