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Sri Lanka Annual Unemployment Rate

Sri Lanka's annual unemployment rate fell to 5% in 2024, down from 6% in 2023, according to World Bank. This represents a decrease of 1% from the previous year. Sri Lanka has annual unemployment rate lower than the global median (5.00% vs median 5.23%). Compared with the median in Asia, Sri Lanka is higher (5.00% vs regional median 4.05%) and ranks 17th out of 48 countries in Asia.

Yearly Historical Data (1991-2024)

(in %)
Year Annual Unemployment Rate (%)
2024 5%
2023 6%
2022 4.53%
2021 4.98%
2020 5.36%
2019 4.67%
2018 4.32%
2017 4.05%
2016 4.24%
2015 4.52%
2014 4.16%
2013 4.19%
2012 3.88%
2011 4.12%
2010 4.78%
2009 5.85%
2008 5.22%
2007 5.97%
2006 6.5%
2005 7.67%
2004 8.38%
2003 8.22%
2002 8.76%
2001 7.9%
2000 7.74%
1999 8.88%
1998 9.17%
1997 10.6%
1996 11.35%
1995 12.27%
1994 13.03%
1993 13.82%
1992 14.22%
1991 14.66%
Sri Lanka Annual Unemployment Rate : Definition
Annual Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of Sri Lanka's labor force that is looking for work but does not have a job.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Female Labor Force Rate 31.57% 31.62% 2024
Unemployment Rate 3.8% 3.8% Jun'25