Sri Lanka, Oct. 5 -- Sri Lanka's unemployment rate has risen to 4% in the second quarter of 2026, with young people continuing to face the toughest challenge in finding jobs, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.

The latest figure is up from 3.8% in the second quarter of 2025 and 3.7% in the first quarter of this year.

The number of unemployed people was estimated at 340,240 during the quarter.

According to Data, women recorded a considerably higher unemployment rate of 6.1%, compared to 2.8% among men, while the highest unemployment rate was recorded among those aged between 15 and 24.

Commenting on the situation, Economics Professor at the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Wasantha Athukorala told Daily Mirror that th...