Sri Lanka's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in the second quarter 2010.

This latest data was released after surveys were conducted by the Department of Census & Statistics in April, May and June 2010. The survey was not conducted in the Northern Province. The unemployment rate in 2009 was 5.7 percent.

The survey results revealed that the estimated economically active population (or labour force) was about 8.1 million in second quarter 2010. Of which 65.8 percent were males and 34.2 percent were females. Out of the economically inactive population, 29.4 percent were males and 70.6 percent were females.

When considering the labour force participation rates male participation rate for the second quarter 2010 was about 67.6 percent and it was 31.6 percent for females. It was important to note that, male participation to the labour force was more than twice as that of females.

The higher percentage of employees both in private and public sector engage in non-agricultural activities. Also more employers were in non agriculture sector than in agriculture sector. But contributing family workers were more concentrated in agriculture sector.

The number of unemployed persons was estimated to be around 437,000 during the second quarter 2010.

Overall unemployment rate reported for female was 8.0 percent and it was 4.1 percent for male. Youth unemployment rate 15 – 24 yrs reported for second quarter 2010 was 20.7. Highest unemployment rate was reported from age group 15 – 24 yrs, for both males (18.6) and females (24.6).

Further, the survey results revealed that unemployment was severe among females than that of males, in all age groups.

The highest unemployment rate was reported from the G.C.E(A/L) and above group which was about 12.3 percent. There were 8.5 percent and 16.4 percent for males and females respectively.

This shows the problem of unemployment is more acute in the case of educated females than educated males.