Unemployment at four-year low

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 02:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest in four years, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. The rate peaked at 5.2% in the second quarter of 2023.

An estimated 322,331 people were unemployed in the first quarter of 2025. Unemployment was higher among women at 6.3% compared to 2.5% for men. Among women aged 15-24, the rate was 27.3%, followed by 16.3% for those aged 25-29. For men in these age groups, the rates were 15% and 6.8%, respectively.

By education level, unemployment was highest among those with G.C.E. Advanced Level qualifications or higher, at 8.2% for women and 4.2% for men.

The economically active population stood at over 8.1 million, with men making up 65.4%. Employment was concentrated in services (50.3%), followed by industry (26.2%) and agriculture (23.4%).