Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (Nov. 26) that 365,951 individuals are currently unemployed in Sri Lanka.

Responding to a question from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the 2024 Labour Force Survey showed a decline in the national unemployment rate—from 4.5% in early 2024 to 3.8% in 2025. The rate for the second quarter of 2024, previously 4.7%, had also dropped to 3.8% this year.

She provided a breakdown of unemployed individuals by educational qualifications:
• Below G.C.E. Ordinary Level: 103,308
• G.C.E. O/L qualified: 91,405
• G.C.E. A/L qualified: 128,984
• Degree or higher qualifications: 42,254

Amarasuriya added that more than 12,000 graduates have already been employed, with efforts ongoing to recruit the remaining graduates in line with the government’s policy.