Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Sri Lanka

Vulnerable employment in Sri Lanka in 2025 — 39.24%. Ranked 118 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 2.75 pp.

2025 39.24% −0.1 pp vs 2024
World rank 118of 182
Period maximum 45.63%1998
Period minimum 39.06%2022

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Sri Lanka, 1991–2025384042444619911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 42%1992: 41.84%1993: 41.66%1994: 41.77%1995: 41.7%1996: 41.59%1997: 41.43%1998: 45.63%1999: 43.65%2000: 44.54%2001: 42.24%2002: 42.48%2003: 42.62%2004: 40.75%2005: 40.76%2006: 44.42%2007: 43.81%2008: 44.15%2009: 42.92%2010: 42.53%2011: 42.05%2012: 40.74%2013: 40.67%2014: 40.21%2015: 40.75%2016: 39.44%2017: 39.31%2018: 39.44%2019: 39.52%2020: 40.01%2021: 40%2022: 39.06%2023: 39.3%2024: 39.35%2025: 39.24%
Change over the period: −2.75 pp Annual average: -0.08 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Sri Lanka 39.24%
World 42.38%
South Asia 69.74%
Southern Asia computed 67.36%
Vulnerable employment — Sri Lanka, by year Sri Lanka All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 39.24 −0.1 pp
2024 39.35 +0.05 pp
2023 39.3 +0.24 pp
2022 39.06 −0.93 pp
2021 40 −0.02 pp
2020 40.01 +0.49 pp
2019 39.52 +0.09 pp
2018 39.44 +0.13 pp
2017 39.31 −0.13 pp
2016 39.44 −1.31 pp
2015 40.75 +0.54 pp
2014 40.21 −0.46 pp
2013 40.67 −0.06 pp
2012 40.74 −1.31 pp
2011 42.05 −0.47 pp
2010 42.53 −0.39 pp
2009 42.92 −1.23 pp
2008 44.15 +0.34 pp
2007 43.81 −0.61 pp
2006 44.42 +3.66 pp
2005 40.76 +0.01 pp
2004 40.75 −1.87 pp
2003 42.62 +0.14 pp
2002 42.48 +0.24 pp
2001 42.24 −2.3 pp
2000 44.54 +0.89 pp
1999 43.65 −1.97 pp
1998 45.63 +4.19 pp
1997 41.43 −0.16 pp
1996 41.59 −0.11 pp
1995 41.7 −0.07 pp
1994 41.77 +0.11 pp
1993 41.66 −0.18 pp
1992 41.84 −0.15 pp
1991 42

Southern Asia, 2025

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

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

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