During the period of 1995 – 1999, the share of labour force of workers aged between 15 and 29 years was 35.7 percent, but declined to 28.8 percent in 2004 – 2009. On the other hand, the share of labour force of older workers, aged over 30 years increased from 64.3 percent in 1995 – 1999 to around 71 percent in 2005 – 2009. [to see more info, click here]

The share of youth working age population (aged 15 – 24) has declined by 8.2 percentage points to 21.2 percent in 2009 from 29.4 percent in 1995. On the other hand, the share of older people (years 40 and above) of the working age population has amounted to 49.6 percent in 2009 which was 39.8 percent in 1995. [to see more info, click here]

The overall labour force participation rate in Sri Lanka is about 50 percent which is almost constant over the past one and half decade. Among females this rate is about half of the male labour force participation rate though female working age population was about 0.8 million bigger in numbers than male working age population at the present situation.
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The top three industries for employment in Sri Lanka were Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery ( A & B); Manufacturing(D); and Wholesale & Retail Trade, Repair of motor vehicles & motor cycles and personal and household goods (G), where employment shares are above one digit level. These three industries account for about 63 percent of the total employment. However the share of employment in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry to the total employment has been declining slowly over the years. But in near future, an increase in employment in the industrial sector can be expected with the emerging opportunities of developing the Agriculture and Fisheries industry in the N-E provinces under the National Action Plan prepared for the development of those provinces consequent to the end of prolonged civil war.
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