Female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Female share of the labor force was 33.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka stood at 33.4%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka peaked at 36.6% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 32.2%, in 1997.
Sri Lanka ranks 159th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 36.6% | — |
| 1991 | 34.7% | -5.3% |
| 1992 | 32.6% | -5.9% |
| 1993 | 33.3% | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 33.4% | +0.2% |
| 1995 | 32.6% | -2.2% |
| 1996 | 32.3% | -1.1% |
| 1997 | 32.2% | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 35.5% | +10.2% |
| 1999 | 33.3% | -6.4% |
| 2000 | 33.1% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 33.1% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 33.1% | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 33.1% | -0.0% |
| 2004 | 33.0% | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 33.0% | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 33.0% | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 33.0% | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 33.1% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 33.1% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 33.1% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 33.4% | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 32.4% | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 34.0% | +4.8% |
| 2014 | 33.6% | -1.0% |
| 2015 | 34.4% | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 34.3% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 34.9% | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 33.5% | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 34.1% | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 32.8% | -3.8% |
| 2021 | 32.9% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 33.3% | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 32.7% | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 33.4% | +2.2% |
| 2025 | 33.4% | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 33.7% | 32.2% | 36.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 33.1% | 33.0% | 33.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.8% | 32.4% | 34.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.1% | 32.7% | 33.4% | 6 |
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 share of the labor force in Sri Lanka?
- Female share of the labor force in Sri Lanka was 33.4% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female share of the labor force recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 36.6% in 1990.
- What is the lowest female share of the labor force recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.2% in 1997.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for female share of the labor force?
- Sri Lanka ranks 159th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female share of the labor force rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.7%. 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 and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female share of the labor force. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population economically active (employed or unemployed) who are female.