Ageing Labour Force

In general, it is apparent that higher the age group the labour force share is higher with a higher growth rate. Conversely, lower age groups have lesser share in labour force with decreasing rates. This ‘accelerated ageing of higher age groups’ phenomenon is globally observable. However, any similar pattern is not evident in working age population shares especially for age groups below 30 years. Thus, the variation in labour force share for those age groups would not be justifiably explained by the demographic changes, instead may be described by the increasing inactivity owing to extended period of education through rise in university intakes and expansion of tertiary and vocational educational systems. [to see more info, click here]

Gender Perspective

In considering the gender aspect, the male dominance in the labour force is clearly visible throughout. According to the gender composition, almost two third of the total labour force were males for the last 15 years, thus the females were only half of the males. Inclusions of Eastern and Northern provincial districts into the survey during 2003-2005 have resulted significant hikes in male count in labour force, yet the simultaneous changes in female count were relatively low; resulting a further decline in female-to-male ratio in labour force. However, apart from the exceptional period 2003-2005, there is a gradual ‘catching up’ by females over the years yielding a 3.7 percentage point increase in female component by 2009 (36.4%) from 1996 (32.7%).  On the contrary, this positive change has been disrupted in 2010 with a decline of 1.4 percentage points. [to see more info, click here]

Unemployment by Level of Education

In general, the employment shares of all educational segments were relatively constant during 2007-2009 period, despite the sharp changes in overall unemployment volume; however this composition has been remarkably changed in 2010 causing a 7.6 percentage point increase in unemployment share of ‘educated personnel’ (comprising both G.C.E. O/L cluster and G.C.E. A/L & above cluster).[to see more info, click here]

Trends in departures for foreign employment

Despite the desperate need of skilled labour in Middle-East region, the majority of Sri Lankan workers still depend upon conventional practices in foreign employment. It is very important to take measures to cater this demand for skilled labour through strategic adjustments. [to see more info, click here]

Labour Productivity

The agriculture sector and Banking, Insurance & Real Estate sector are the least performers in labour productivity all along the period considered. The latter has shown a sound growth in 2010 after 3 years of lag preceded by a giant jump in 2006. The Agriculture sector, the poorest labour productivity rated sector since 2006 has not shown any remarkable improvement even in 2010.

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