Sri Lanka: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka's unemployment rate was 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) Labour Force Survey. It was 2.4% for men and 6.1% for women. For the year 2025, the rate was 3.9%.

Unemployment is higher among young people: 15.8% for those aged 20 to 24 in the first quarter of 2026. The labour force participation rate was 49.2% of people aged 15 and over, 69.1% for men and 32.5% for women. The survey counted 311,495 unemployed people and 8,102,868 employed.

Official sources: DCS: Labour Force Survey quarterly report, first quarter 2026 (PDF)

What sectors employ the most people in Sri Lanka?

Services employed 50.4% of Sri Lanka's workers in the first quarter of 2026, industry 25.9% and agriculture 23.7%, according to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) Labour Force Survey.

Agriculture's share was 25.3% in 2019 and 23.9% in 2025, while services rose from 47.1% to 49.8% over the same period. The survey found that 68.5% of employed people worked 40 hours or more a week in the first quarter of 2026. The DCS publishes the survey quarterly, with an annual report.

Official sources: DCS: Labour Force Survey quarterly report, first quarter 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Sri Lanka?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Sri Lanka was 17,500 LKR a month (about $58), according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2016.

What is the average monthly salary in Sri Lanka?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Sri Lanka at $162 a month in 2024. The peak was $204 a month in 2019 and the low $114 a month in 2012. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 69th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Sri Lanka?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 4.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.9% (2012) to 7.7% (2005). South Asia median: 4.1%; Sri Lanka is 4th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 109th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Sri Lanka?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Sri Lanka was 18.6%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 27.7%; its low point was 2011, at 16.8%. Across South Asia the middle value was 16.5%, and Sri Lanka placed 2nd highest of 6. Worldwide: 52nd of 174.

What share of people in Sri Lanka are in the labour force?

48.5%: that is the labour force participation rate in Sri Lanka for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 54.4% in 2005 and the low 47.4% in 2023. South Asia median: 57.2%; Sri Lanka is 5th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 154th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Sri Lanka?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Sri Lanka was 31.0%, according to the ILO. The peak was 36.1% in 2017 and the low 29.6% in 2023. Across South Asia the middle value was 35.5%, and Sri Lanka placed 5th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 155th highest.

How many people in Sri Lanka are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Sri Lanka was 46.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 45.3% (2023) to 51.8% (2017). South Asia median: 54.9%; Sri Lanka is 5th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 148th highest.

How many workers in Sri Lanka are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 39.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 44.4%; its low point was 2022, at 39.1%. It is 5th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 63.2%. Worldwide: 65th of 174.

What share of jobs in Sri Lanka are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 57.9%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 58.0%; its low point was 2006, at 52.2%. South Asia median: 34.7%; Sri Lanka is 2nd highest of 6. Worldwide: 104th of 174.