Sri Lanka's Second Quarter unemployment rate for 2011 was reported as 4.2 % compared to 5.4 % in the Second Quarter of 2010.

According to the figures released by the Department of Census and Statistics in the Second Quarter of 2011, the total number of employed persons in Sri Lanka was estimated 8.3 million. Of which 64.8 percent were males and 35.2 percent were females. Out of the economically inactive population 30.8 percent were males and 69.2 percent were females.

According to the survey the distribution of labour force participation rate by age group and by sex depicts more male participation compared to female in all age groups.

Highest male participation rate was reported from age group (30 - 34) yrs, while in female highest participation rate was reported from age group (40 – 44) yrs Overall unemployment rate reported for female was 6.7 percent and it was 3.0 percent for male.

The highest unemployment rate was reported from the G.C.E (A/L) and above group which was about 7.8 percent. There were 4.4 percent and 11.6 percent for males and females respectively.