Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 47.3% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka, 1963–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka is 47.3%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.5% on the previous year and down 8.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka peaked at 61.5% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 29.3%, in 1970.
Sri Lanka ranks 177th of 199 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 54.4% | — |
| 1970 | 29.3% | -46.2% |
| 1971 | 56.9% | +94.4% |
| 1981 | 36.8% | -35.4% |
| 1985 | 58.4% | +58.9% |
| 1986 | 57.3% | -1.8% |
| 1990 | 61.5% | +7.2% |
| 1992 | 56.6% | -7.9% |
| 1993 | 56.7% | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 57.0% | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 54.9% | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 55.4% | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 55.2% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 58.8% | +6.5% |
| 1999 | 57.3% | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 55.6% | -3.0% |
| 2001 | 48.8% | -12.2% |
| 2002 | 50.3% | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 55.6% | +10.6% |
| 2004 | 54.0% | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 54.3% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 49.8% | -8.3% |
| 2009 | 48.7% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 53.3% | +9.4% |
| 2011 | 52.9% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 52.6% | -0.6% |
| 2013 | 52.1% | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 51.6% | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 53.7% | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 53.7% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 54.0% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 51.7% | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 52.2% | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 50.5% | -3.4% |
| 2021 | 49.8% | -1.3% |
| 2022 | 49.7% | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 48.5% | -2.4% |
| 2024 | 47.3% | -2.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 54.4% | 54.4% | 54.4% | 1 |
| 1970s | 43.1% | 29.3% | 56.9% | 2 |
| 1980s | 50.8% | 36.8% | 58.4% | 3 |
| 1990s | 57.1% | 54.9% | 61.5% | 9 |
| 2000s | 52.1% | 48.7% | 55.6% | 8 |
| 2010s | 52.8% | 51.6% | 54.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.2% | 47.3% | 50.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 174 Marshall Islands 49.5% compare
- 175 Lebanon 48.9% compare
- 176 Egypt 48.0% compare
- 178 Timor-Leste 46.7% compare
- 179 Liberia 46.7% compare
- 180 Palestine, State of 45.5% compare
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 labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka?
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Sri Lanka was 47.3% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 61.5% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.3% in 1970.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
- Sri Lanka ranks 177th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.