A total of 365,951 individuals are currently unemployed in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed today (26) in Parliament, responding to a question from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
The Prime Minister highlighted that, according to the 2024 Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate for the first quarter fell from 4.5% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025. Similarly, the second-quarter unemployment rate declined from 4.7% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025.
Dr. Amarasuriya also provided a breakdown of unemployed individuals by educational qualifications:
Below G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L): 103,308 individuals
G.C.E. O/L passed: 91,405 individuals
G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) passed: 128,984 individuals
Degree and higher educational qualifications: 42,254 individuals
The Prime Minister added that over 12,000 graduates have already been employed, and efforts are ongoing to provide jobs for the remaining graduates in line with the government’s policy.
Regarding teacher appointments, she noted that court cases have concluded, and the recruitment process will begin as soon as the official notification is received from the Court of Appeal.
