Departures of Sri Lankan workers seeking overseas employment have slowed in early 2025, reflecting a gradual recovery in local economic activity and wages, according to data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
A total of 25,873 Sri Lankans left officially for foreign employment in January 2025, marginally higher than the 25,149 recorded in the same month of 2024. However, departures declined in the following months.
In February, foreign job placements dropped to 22,271, compared to 25,737 a year earlier, while March saw 21,552 departures, down from 24,158 in 2024. Departures in April also marginally dipped to 22,011, from 22,220 last year.
There was a slight rebound in May 2025, with 27,142 heading overseas, though still below the 28,201 recorded in May 2024.
By the end of June 2025, total foreign employment departures had fallen by around 5% to 143,037.
Sri Lanka experienced a surge in departures during 2022–2024 following severe macroeconomic instability, currency depreciation, and the 2022 sovereign default. The crisis emerged after extensive money printing efforts to close an “output gap,” leading to rapid inflation and external sector pressures.
Foreign remittances—largely sent home by Sri Lankans working in the Middle East—have historically been a key buffer during economic downturns, helping the country stabilize faster after currency crises.
