Labour and wages
Labour force survey, employment, unemployment, wage indices and migrant workers.
743 series · 17 tables · 1953–2026
from CBSL, DCS, DoL and 4 other agencies
Unemployment rate
Per cent, quarterly
Labour force participation
Per cent, quarterly
Female participation
Per cent, annual
Employed
'000, quarterly
Labour force
'000, quarterly
Departures for foreign employment
persons, annual
Key figures
Unemployment rate4.00%2026 Q2, +0.2 pts on a year earlier Labour force participation50.00%2026 Q2, +0.7 pts on a year earlier Female participation32.47%2025, +2.6 pts on a year earlier Employed8,103'0002026 Q1, −0.4% on a year earlier Labour force8,414'0002026 Q1, −0.6% on a year earlier Departures for foreign employment311,223persons2025, −1.1% on a year earlierEvery figure is as the Department of Census and Statistics or the SLBFE publishes it; the change on a year earlier is calculated by Macro Lab.
Typing filters the tables below. Press Enter to list every labour and wages series that matches.
Labour force
The labour force survey: who works, who looks for work, who stays out.
Labour force surveyHousehold population, labour force, employment and unemployment, quarterly and annual, with the older survey bases.52 indicators, quarterly and annual, 1990–2026, from CBSL and DCSFrom: CBSL Economic and Social Statistics; CBSL SDDS 'More Data' workbooks; CBSL statistical tables; DCS historical labour force tablesOpen table
EmploymentEmployment by industry, occupation and status.42 indicators, quarterly and annual, 2013–2026, from DCSFrom: CBSL Economic and Social Statistics; CBSL statistical tablesShow the 9 rows
Shown at quarterly; the series pages have the other setting.Download this table (CSV)
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By status of employment - public sector | 1,177,807persons | −9.6% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By status of employment - private sector | 3,770,801persons | −1.0% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By status of employment - employers | 240,334persons | +1.9% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By status of employment - own account workers | 2,537,467persons | +3.4% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By status of employment - contributing family workers | 376,457persons | +11.1% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By sector (b) - agriculture | 1,920,505persons | +0.7% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By sector (b) - industry | 2,096,104persons | −1.8% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By sector (b) - services | 4,086,258persons | −0.3% | 2026 Q1 | |
| By sector (b) - total | 8,102,868persons | −0.5% | 2026 Q1 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
UnemploymentUnemployment by age, sex and education.23 indicators, annual, 2014–2025, from DCSFrom: CBSL Economic and Social StatisticsShow the 23 rows
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Long-run series since 1953Labour force and unemployment, one line each since 1953.6 indicators, annual, 1953–2025, from DCSFrom: CBSL Annual Economic Review statistical appendixShow the 6 rows
| Indicator | Latest, % | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force participation rate, total | 49.4 | +2.0 pts | 2025 | |
| Labour force participation rate, male | 69.1 | +1.7 pts | 2025 | |
| Labour force participation rate, female | 32.5 | +2.7 pts | 2025 | |
| Unemployment rate, total | 3.9 | −0.5 pts | 2025 | |
| Unemployment rate, male | 2.8 | −0.2 pts | 2025 | |
| Unemployment rate, female | 6.1 | −1.0 pts | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Wages
Wage indices and daily wages.
Wage rate indicesWage rate indices: public sector, wages boards and the minimum wage, nominal and real.111 indicators, monthly and annual, 1967–2026, from CBSL and DoLFrom: CBSL Economic Data Library (wizard); CBSL Economic and Social Statistics; CBSL SDDS 'More Data' workbooks; CBSL statistical tablesOpen table
Public sector wages by gradePublic sector wages by grade.10 indicators, monthly, quarterly and annual, 2020–2026, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Monthly BulletinShow the 10 rows
Shown at monthly; the series pages have the other settings.Download this table (CSV)
| Indicator | Latest, 2016=100 | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior level officers - nominal (NWRI) | 208.4 | +10.4% | Apr 2026 | |
| Senior level officers - real (RWRI) | 85.74 | +5.3% | Apr 2026 | |
| Tertiary level officers - nominal (NWRI) | 205.89 | +7.5% | Apr 2026 | |
| Tertiary level officers - real (RWRI) | 84.71 | +2.6% | Apr 2026 | |
| Secondary level officers - nominal (NWRI) | 196.15 | +5.4% | Apr 2026 | |
| Secondary level officers - real (RWRI) | 80.7 | +0.6% | Apr 2026 | |
| Primary level officers - nominal (NWRI) | 177.51 | +2.2% | Apr 2026 | |
| Primary level officers - real (RWRI) | 73.03 | −2.4% | Apr 2026 | |
| All central government - nominal (NWRI) | 192.64 | +5.0% | Apr 2026 | |
| All central government - real (RWRI) | 79.26 | +0.2% | Apr 2026 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Informal sector daily wagesDaily wages in the informal sector: farm and building work.35 indicators, monthly, 2008–2025, from CBSL; no new readings since Dec 2025From: CBSL Economic and Social Statistics; CBSL SDDS 'More Data' workbooksShow the 35 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Informal private sector average daily wage | ||||
| Paddy (nominal) ended | 1,092Rs/day | +6.6% | Aug 2017 | |
| Paddy (real) ended | 546.82Rs/day | +1.0% | Aug 2017 | |
| Coconut (nominal) ended | 1,094.56Rs/day | +9.2% | Aug 2017 | |
| Coconut (real) ended | 548.1Rs/day | +3.4% | Aug 2017 | |
| Rubber (nominal) ended | 977.51Rs/day | +10.8% | Aug 2017 | |
| Rubber (real) ended | 489.49Rs/day | +4.9% | Aug 2017 | |
| Tea (nominal) ended | 928.5Rs/day | +16.4% | Aug 2017 | |
| Tea (real) ended | 464.95Rs/day | +10.2% | Aug 2017 | |
| Carpentry (nominal) ended | 1,467.93Rs/day | +11.6% | Aug 2017 | |
| Carpentry (real) ended | 735.07Rs/day | +5.7% | Aug 2017 | |
| Masonry (nominal) ended | 1,464.98Rs/day | +12.8% | Aug 2017 | |
| Masonry (real) ended | 733.59Rs/day | +6.8% | Aug 2017 | |
| Agriculture (nominal) ended | 1,014.46Rs/day | +10.7% | Aug 2017 | |
| Agriculture (real) ended | 507.99Rs/day | +4.8% | Aug 2017 | |
| Construction (nominal) ended | 1,466.46Rs/day | +12.2% | Aug 2017 | |
| Construction (real) ended | 734.33Rs/day | +6.3% | Aug 2017 | |
| Informal sector (nominal) ended | 1,093.07Rs/day | +11.0% | Aug 2017 | |
| Informal sector (real) ended | 547.36Rs/day | +5.1% | Aug 2017 | |
| All island average wages in the informal private sector 2022 | ||||
| Agriculture - tea - preparing land - male ended | 2,371Rs per day | +9.0% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - tea - plucking - male ended | 1,939Rs per day | +9.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - tea - plucking - female ended | 1,589Rs per day | +10.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - rubber - planting - male ended | 2,300Rs per day | 0.0% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - rubber - tapping - male ended | 1,529Rs per day | +16.4% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - rubber - tapping - female ended | 1,314Rs per day | +10.8% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - coconut - digging pits - male ended | 2,730Rs per day | +6.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - coconut - plucking with sticks - male ended | 3,100Rs per day | +3.3% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - paddy - ploughing with mammoties - male ended | 2,778Rs per day | +3.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - paddy - transplanting and harvesting - male ended | 2,717Rs per day | +3.3% | Dec 2025 | |
| Agriculture - paddy - transplanting and harvesting - female ended | 2,073Rs per day | +9.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - carpentry - master carpenter - male ended | 3,604Rs per day | +3.7% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - carpentry - skilled helper - male ended | 2,805Rs per day | +6.9% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - carpentry - unskilled helper - male ended | 2,374Rs per day | +6.0% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - masonry - master mason - male ended | 3,705Rs per day | +5.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - masonry - skilled helper - male ended | 2,838Rs per day | +6.1% | Dec 2025 | |
| Housing construction (b) - masonry - unskilled helper - male ended | 2,433Rs per day | +6.5% | Dec 2025 | |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Foreign employment and migration
Sri Lankans leaving to work abroad.
Departures for foreign employmentDepartures for foreign employment by occupation, age, sex and destination.127 indicators, annual, 2014–2025, from SLBFEFrom: CBSL Economic and Social StatisticsOpen table
Departures for foreign employment by districtDepartures for foreign employment by district.34 provinces and districts × 2 (Male, Female), annual, 2015–2025, from SLBFEFrom: CBSL Economic and Social StatisticsOpen table
Foreign employment (Data Library)Foreign employment from the Central Bank's data library.25 indicators, quarterly and annual, 1990–2026, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Economic Data Library (wizard); CBSL statistical tablesShow the 18 rows
Shown at quarterly; the series pages have the other setting.Download this table (CSV)
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Migration registrations and passportsMigration registrations and passports issued.4 indicators, monthly and annual, 2015–2026, from CBSLFrom: CBSL statistical tablesShow the 2 rows
Shown at annual; the series pages have the other setting.Download this table (CSV)
| Indicator | Latest, number | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLBFE foreign-employment registrations (annual total) | 62,345 | −79.9% | 2026 | |
| Passport issuance | 779,275 | +32.8% | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Public sector, funds and strikes
Government employment, the provident and trust funds, and strikes.
Public sector employmentPublic sector employment by level of government.16 indicators, annual, 2018–2025, from DoMFrom: CBSL Economic and Social StatisticsShow the 16 rows
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Employees' Provident FundThe Employees' Provident Fund: members, contributions and the fund.6 indicators, annual, 2013–2025, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Annual Economic Review statistical appendixShow the 6 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total member accounts | 22,172'000 | 0.0% | 2025 | |
| Active accounts | 2,690'000 | −7.9% | 2025 | |
| Employers | 87,921number | −5.4% | 2025 | |
| Contributions | 270.8Rs bn | +15.6% | 2025 | |
| Refunds | 176.0Rs bn | −6.4% | 2025 | |
| Total member balances | 4,852.6Rs bn | +13.1% | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Employees' Trust FundThe Employees' Trust Fund: members, contributions and the fund.8 indicators, annual, 2013–2025, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Annual Economic Review statistical appendixShow the 8 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member accounts | 18.04mn | −0.3% | 2025 | |
| Active accounts | 2.6mn | +4.0% | 2025 | |
| Contributing employers | 84,496number | +19.0% | 2025 | |
| Contributions received | 48.5Rs bn | +15.4% | 2025 | |
| Refunds paid | 30.3Rs bn | −9.4% | 2025 | |
| Other benefits paid | 544.0Rs mn | +20.1% | 2025 | |
| Total member balances | 637.9Rs bn | +13.0% | 2025 | |
| Investments of the fund | 640.3Rs bn | +10.2% | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
StrikesStrikes, workers involved and days lost.9 indicators, annual, 2013–2025, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Annual Economic Review statistical appendixShow the 9 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation sector, number of strikes | 6number | +50.0% | 2025 | |
| Plantation sector, workers involved | 410number | −65.8% | 2025 | |
| Plantation sector, man-days lost | 1,191days | −4688.0 days | 2025 | |
| Other private sector, number of strikes | 13number | +44.4% | 2025 | |
| Other private sector, workers involved | 5,299number | −23.6% | 2025 | |
| Other private sector, man-days lost | 13,500days | −27390.0 days | 2025 | |
| Total, number of strikes | 19number | +46.2% | 2025 | |
| Total, workers involved | 5,709number | −29.8% | 2025 | |
| Total, man-days lost | 14,691days | −32078.0 days | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
International sources
The same economy through the IMF, the World Bank and other international bodies.
IMF World Economic OutlookThe IMF's World Economic Outlook series for Sri Lanka, annual; the April 2026 edition gives no projections for Sri Lanka.1 indicators, annual, 1990–2024, from IMFFrom: IMF data (WEO, PCPS, IMTS)Show the 1 row
| Indicator | Latest, persons | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (IMF WEO) | 4.4 | −6.4% | 2024 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
World Bank indicatorsWorld Bank World Development Indicators for Sri Lanka, annual (CC BY 4.0).125 indicators, annual, 1963–2025, from the World BankFrom: World Bank: World Development Indicators and International Debt StatisticsShow the 125 rows
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.