Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 47.35 in 2024. ▬ Flat
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Sri Lanka, 1946–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Sri Lanka is 47.35, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 2.5% on the previous year and down 8.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Sri Lanka peaked at 61.45 in 1990 and was at its lowest, 29.27, in 1970.
That places Sri Lanka 189th out of 210 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 39.37 | — |
| 1953 | 59.37 | +50.8% |
| 1963 | 54.4 | -8.4% |
| 1970 | 29.27 | -46.2% |
| 1971 | 56.91 | +94.4% |
| 1981 | 36.75 | -35.4% |
| 1985 | 58.39 | +58.9% |
| 1986 | 57.34 | -1.8% |
| 1990 | 61.45 | +7.2% |
| 1992 | 56.62 | -7.9% |
| 1993 | 56.73 | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 57.04 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 54.88 | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 55.4 | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 55.24 | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 58.82 | +6.5% |
| 1999 | 57.31 | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 55.57 | -3.0% |
| 2001 | 48.8 | -12.2% |
| 2002 | 50.3 | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 55.63 | +10.6% |
| 2004 | 53.98 | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 54.26 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 49.77 | -8.3% |
| 2009 | 48.7 | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 53.3 | +9.4% |
| 2011 | 52.87 | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 52.57 | -0.6% |
| 2013 | 52.05 | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 51.6 | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 53.67 | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 53.73 | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 53.99 | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 51.72 | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 52.25 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 50.49 | -3.4% |
| 2021 | 49.84 | -1.3% |
| 2022 | 49.73 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 48.55 | -2.4% |
| 2024 | 47.35 | -2.5% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 47.35 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 62.79, 75% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 47.35 is below the median for South Asia, which is 57.08, 83% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | +94.4% | 29.27 | 56.91 |
| 1985 | +58.9% | 36.75 | 58.39 |
| 1953 | +50.8% | 39.37 | 59.37 |
| 1970 | -46.2% | 54.4 | 29.27 |
| 1981 | -35.4% | 56.91 | 36.75 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 39.37 | 39.37 | 39.37 | 1 |
| 1950s | 59.37 | 59.37 | 59.37 | 1 |
| 1960s | 54.4 | 54.4 | 54.4 | 1 |
| 1970s | 43.09 | 29.27 | 56.91 | 2 |
| 1980s | 50.83 | 36.75 | 58.39 | 3 |
| 1990s | 57.05 | 54.88 | 61.45 | 9 |
| 2000s | 52.13 | 48.7 | 55.63 | 8 |
| 2010s | 52.77 | 51.6 | 53.99 | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.19 | 47.35 | 50.49 | 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 labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Sri Lanka?
- Labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Sri Lanka was 47.35 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 61.45 in 1990.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.27 in 1970.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Sri Lanka ranks 189th out of 210 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) 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 International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The labour force participation rate is the labour force as a percent of the working-age population. The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.