Highest Unemployment in Sri Lanka

Top 72 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Sri Lanka

Highest Unemployment — Sri Lanka

1 Matara 34 4.0%

2 Panadura 36 4.0%

3 Nuwara Eliya 29 4.0%

4 Negombo 36 4.0%

5 Mulleriyawa 36 4.0%

6 Mullaittivu 38 4.0%

7 Moratuwa 36 4.0%

8 Monaragala 35 4.0%

9 Minuwangoda 36 4.0%

10 Peliyagoda 36 4.0%

11 Matale 29 4.0%

12 Mannar 38 4.0%

13 Maharagama 36 4.0%

14 Kurunegala 32 4.0%

15 Kuliyapitiya 32 4.0%

16 Kotikawatta 36 4.0%

17 Kolonnawa 36 4.0%

18 Kilinochchi 38 4.0%

19 Trincomalee 37 4.0%

20 Wellawaya 35 4.0%

21 Welisara 36 4.0%

22 Weligama 34 4.0%

23 Wattegama 35 4.0%

24 Wattala 36 4.0%

25 Vavuniya 38 4.0%

26 Valvedditturai 38 4.0%

27 Vakarai 37 4.0%

28 Keppapularu 38 4.0%

29 Tangalle 34 4.0%

30 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte 36 4.0%

31 Ratnapura 33 4.0%

32 Puttalam 32 4.0%

33 Pottuvil 37 4.0%

34 Polonnaruwa 30 4.0%

35 Point Pedro 38 4.0%

36 Pita Kotte 36 4.0%

37 Beruwala 36 4.0%

38 Gampaha 36 4.0%

39 Galle 34 4.0%

40 Eravur Town 37 4.0%

41 Devinuwara 34 4.0%

42 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 36 4.0%

43 Dambulla 29 4.0%

44 Colombo 36 4.0%

45 Chilaw 32 4.0%

46 Gampola 29 4.0%

47 Bentota 34 4.0%

48 Beliatta 34 4.0%

49 Batticaloa 37 4.0%

50 Battaramulla South 36 4.0%

51 Badulla 35 4.0%

52 Anuradhapura 30 4.0%

53 Ampara 37 4.0%

54 Ambalantota 34 4.0%

55 Jaffna 38 4.0%

56 Kelaniya 36 4.0%

57 Kegalle 33 4.0%

58 Katunayaka 36 4.0%

59 Kataragama 35 4.0%

60 Kandy 29 4.0%

61 Kandana 36 4.0%

62 Kalutara 36 4.0%

63 Kalmunai 37 4.0%

64 Ambalangoda 34 4.0%

65 Ja Ela 36 4.0%

66 Horawala Junction 36 4.0%

67 Horana South 36 4.0%

68 Homagama 36 4.0%

69 Hendala 36 4.0%

70 Hatton 29 4.0%

71 Hanwella Ihala 36 4.0%

72 Hambantota 34 4.0%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Sri Lanka face significant economic challenges. Matara has an unemployment rate of 4.0%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Matara, about 1 in 25 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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