Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Sri Lanka

Female labor force participation rate in Sri Lanka in 2025 — 30.99%. Ranked 163 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 14.16 pp.

2025 30.99% −0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank 163of 182
Period maximum 45.15%1990
Period minimum 29.6%2023

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Sri Lanka, 1990–202525303540455019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 45.15%1991: 41%1992: 36.91%1993: 37.68%1994: 37.9%1995: 35.6%1996: 35.49%1997: 35.26%1998: 41.33%1999: 37.65%2000: 36.33%2001: 36.08%2002: 35.83%2003: 35.59%2004: 35.35%2005: 35.11%2006: 34.88%2007: 34.64%2008: 34.42%2009: 34.19%2010: 33.97%2011: 33.95%2012: 32.65%2013: 33.87%2014: 33.21%2015: 35.33%2016: 35.25%2017: 36.09%2018: 33.11%2019: 34.05%2020: 31.66%2021: 31.33%2022: 31.61%2023: 29.6%2024: 31%2025: 30.99%
Change over the period: −14.16 pp Annual average: -0.4 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka 30.99%
World 48.94%
South Asia 32.98%
Southern Asia computed 30.46%
Female labor force participation rate — Sri Lanka, by year Sri Lanka All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 30.99 −0.01 pp
2024 31 +1.4 pp
2023 29.6 −2.01 pp
2022 31.61 +0.28 pp
2021 31.33 −0.33 pp
2020 31.66 −2.39 pp
2019 34.05 +0.95 pp
2018 33.11 −2.99 pp
2017 36.09 +0.84 pp
2016 35.25 −0.08 pp
2015 35.33 +2.12 pp
2014 33.21 −0.66 pp
2013 33.87 +1.22 pp
2012 32.65 −1.3 pp
2011 33.95 −0.02 pp
2010 33.97 −0.23 pp
2009 34.19 −0.22 pp
2008 34.42 −0.23 pp
2007 34.64 −0.23 pp
2006 34.88 −0.23 pp
2005 35.11 −0.24 pp
2004 35.35 −0.24 pp
2003 35.59 −0.24 pp
2002 35.83 −0.25 pp
2001 36.08 −0.25 pp
2000 36.33 −1.32 pp
1999 37.65 −3.68 pp
1998 41.33 +6.07 pp
1997 35.26 −0.23 pp
1996 35.49 −0.11 pp
1995 35.6 −2.3 pp
1994 37.9 +0.22 pp
1993 37.68 +0.76 pp
1992 36.91 −4.09 pp
1991 41 −4.15 pp
1990 45.15

Southern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.