Female labor force by age in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Female labor force by age was 169,967 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Female labor force by age in Sri Lanka, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force by age in Sri Lanka is 169,967 people, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is up 8.6% on the previous year and up 60.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force by age in Sri Lanka peaked at 169,967 people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 28,309 people, in 1990.
Sri Lanka ranks 48th of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Female labor force by age in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 28,309 people | — |
| 1991 | 29,656 people | +4.8% |
| 1992 | 30,482 people | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 32,163 people | +5.5% |
| 1994 | 34,327 people | +6.7% |
| 1995 | 35,327 people | +2.9% |
| 1996 | 36,373 people | +3.0% |
| 1997 | 37,249 people | +2.4% |
| 1998 | 39,146 people | +5.1% |
| 1999 | 39,904 people | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 40,767 people | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 42,614 people | +4.5% |
| 2002 | 44,595 people | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 46,545 people | +4.4% |
| 2004 | 48,368 people | +3.9% |
| 2005 | 50,386 people | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 52,978 people | +5.1% |
| 2007 | 56,272 people | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 60,509 people | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 65,703 people | +8.6% |
| 2010 | 72,104 people | +9.7% |
| 2011 | 95,022 people | +31.8% |
| 2012 | 92,681 people | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 112,176 people | +21.0% |
| 2014 | 105,756 people | -5.7% |
| 2015 | 115,932 people | +9.6% |
| 2016 | 137,214 people | +18.4% |
| 2017 | 156,536 people | +14.1% |
| 2018 | 144,194 people | -7.9% |
| 2019 | 161,245 people | +11.8% |
| 2020 | 149,945 people | -7.0% |
| 2021 | 137,807 people | -8.1% |
| 2022 | 161,510 people | +17.2% |
| 2023 | 156,555 people | -3.1% |
| 2024 | 169,967 people | +8.6% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 169,967 people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 28,662 people, 5.9× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 169,967 people is above the median for South Asia, which is 122,364 people, 1.4× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Female labor force by age in Sri Lanka changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +31.8% | 72,104 people | 95,022 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 34,294 people | 28,309 people | 39,904 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 50,874 people | 40,767 people | 65,703 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 119,286 people | 72,104 people | 161,245 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 155,157 people | 137,807 people | 169,967 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More work & labour data for Sri Lanka
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.5555 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5407 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5702 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.3 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.6 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 6,575 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,218 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 10,672 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 10,578 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 21,249 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force by age in Sri Lanka?
- Female labor force by age in Sri Lanka was 169,967 people in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force by age recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 169,967 people in 2024.
- What is the lowest female labor force by age recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,309 people in 1990.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for female labor force by age?
- Sri Lanka ranks 48th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force by age rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 60.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed).