Regional Perspectives of Unemployment in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the regional differences of the unemployment situation of Sri Lanka based on a comparative analysis between provinces and districts. Secondary data was the main source used for the analysis while the descriptive statistics were used as the method of analysis. The study revealed that the rate of unemployment is higher in some provinces of the country. Unemployment among the youth is much higher in all the districts while it is higher in some districts. There exists an underemployment in all the districts while it is also higher in some districts. Commonly, there is an inverse relationship between the level of education and the rate of unemployment. The results highlight the need of policy intervention especially, to solve the severe unemployment among the youth and to rethink about the form of education that the country provide for the children and youth.