Sri Lanka: Unemployment rate
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
The most recent value is 3.7 percent as of Q1 2026, a decline compared to the previous value of 3.8 percent. Historically, the average for Sri Lanka from Q1 2004 to Q1 2026 is 4.95 percent. The minimum of 3.7 percent was recorded in Q3 2011, while the maximum of 9 percent was reached in Q2 2004.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
- Measure: percent
- Definition: The unemployment rate represents the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- Source: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
| Recent values | Sri Lanka: Unemployment rate, percent |
|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 | 3.7 |
| 2025 Q4 | 3.8 |
| 2025 Q3 | 4.3 |
| 2025 Q2 | 3.8 |
| 2025 Q1 | 3.8 |
| 2024 Q4 | 4.2 |
| 2024 Q3 | 4.2 |
| 2024 Q2 | 4.7 |
Download data from our database Other resources: All indicators for Sri Lanka All indicators on the website Article: Are trade deficits bad for the economy? Article: Sources of economic growth Article: Currency values and investment returns All articles
| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force | 8.37 | 2025 | million people |
| Unemployment rate | 4.01 | 2025 | percent |
| Female unemployment | 6.48 | 2025 | percent |
| Male unemployment | 2.76 | 2025 | percent |
| Youth unemployment | 18.58 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force participation | 48.52 | 2025 | percent |
| Labor force: percent female | 33.44 | 2025 | percent |
| Female labor force participation | 30.99 | 2025 | percent |
| Male labor force participation | 67.77 | 2025 | percent |
| Self-employment | 42.07 | 2025 | percent |
| Employment | 7.90 | Q1/2024 | million employed people |
| Unemployment rate | 3.70 | Q1/2026 | percent |