Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 was 16.2% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka, 1963–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka stood at 16.2%. That is the lowest value across all 33 years on record.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 27.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka peaked at 45.1% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 16.2%, in 2024.
Sri Lanka ranks 158th of 171 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 33 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 25.2% | — |
| 1971 | 34.6% | +37.4% |
| 1985 | 35.8% | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 34.2% | -4.3% |
| 1990 | 45.1% | +31.7% |
| 1992 | 36.7% | -18.6% |
| 1993 | 39.8% | +8.4% |
| 1994 | 40.1% | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 34.9% | -12.9% |
| 1996 | 33.6% | -3.8% |
| 1997 | 32.8% | -2.3% |
| 1998 | 40.4% | +23.0% |
| 1999 | 35.0% | -13.4% |
| 2000 | 30.3% | -13.2% |
| 2003 | 34.1% | +12.4% |
| 2004 | 33.2% | -2.7% |
| 2005 | 29.6% | -10.7% |
| 2007 | 30.3% | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 24.8% | -18.2% |
| 2011 | 23.2% | -6.2% |
| 2012 | 22.6% | -2.7% |
| 2013 | 23.2% | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 22.2% | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 24.8% | +11.5% |
| 2016 | 23.1% | -7.0% |
| 2017 | 23.9% | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 20.5% | -14.0% |
| 2019 | 21.5% | +4.7% |
| 2020 | 19.5% | -9.1% |
| 2021 | 17.8% | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 17.7% | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 16.7% | -5.7% |
| 2024 | 16.2% | -2.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 25.2% | 25.2% | 25.2% | 1 |
| 1970s | 34.6% | 34.6% | 34.6% | 1 |
| 1980s | 35.0% | 34.2% | 35.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 37.6% | 32.8% | 45.1% | 9 |
| 2000s | 31.5% | 29.6% | 34.1% | 5 |
| 2010s | 23.0% | 20.5% | 24.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.6% | 16.2% | 19.5% | 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 labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka?
- Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 in Sri Lanka was 16.2% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 45.1% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.2% in 2024.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023?
- Sri Lanka ranks 158th out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023 rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate for women ages 15-24, 1980 vs. 2023. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed). Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.