Sri Lanka’s Unemployment Rate
#4 of 178 in the Unemployment Rate progress rankings
The Unemployment Rate quantifies the share of the labor force that remains without work while actively searching for jobs. It highlights economic challenges and the health of labor markets, serving as a key sign of employment conditions (lower is better)
Latest (2024)
5.0 %
Year-over-year
-1.0 %
Change since start (1991→2024)
-9.7 %
Key insights
- From 1991 to 2024, Unemployment Rate changed by -9.7 %.
- Most recent year-over-year change (2023→2024): -1.0 %.
- Lowest level: 3.9 % in 2012.
- Highest level: 14.7 % in 1991.
Unemployment Rate Chart (1991–2024)
*Average based on available data from 193 UN member countries
Unemployment Rate Table (1991–2024)
| Year | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 14.7 % |
| 1992 | 14.2 % |
| 1993 | 13.8 % |
| 1994 | 13.0 % |
| 1995 | 12.3 % |
| 1996 | 11.4 % |
| 1997 | 10.6 % |
| 1998 | 9.2 % |
| 1999 | 8.9 % |
| 2000 | 7.7 % |
| 2001 | 7.9 % |
| 2002 | 8.8 % |
| 2003 | 8.2 % |
| 2004 | 8.4 % |
| 2005 | 7.7 % |
| 2006 | 6.5 % |
| 2007 | 6.0 % |
| 2008 | 5.2 % |
| 2009 | 5.9 % |
| 2010 | 4.8 % |
| 2011 | 4.1 % |
| 2012 | 3.9 % |
| 2013 | 4.2 % |
| 2014 | 4.2 % |
| 2015 | 4.5 % |
| 2016 | 4.2 % |
| 2017 | 4.0 % |
| 2018 | 4.3 % |
| 2019 | 4.7 % |
| 2020 | 5.4 % |
| 2021 | 5.0 % |
| 2022 | 4.5 % |
| 2023 | 6.0 % |
| 2024 | 5.0 % |
Source: World Bank