By Sri Lanka’s Foreign Employment Surge: Plans for 2025 Amid Economic Recovery
Since the 2022 economic crisis, Sri Lanka has seen a significant rise in its workforce seeking foreign employment. In a bid to stabilize the economy and increase foreign remittances, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has set ambitious targets for 2025. The country anticipates that approximately 340,000 Sri Lankans will migrate for work abroad, with expectations to generate USD 7 billion in foreign revenue.
Increasing Overseas Employment Post-Crisis
The economic collapse in 2022 led to widespread job losses, inflation, and a surge in migration as Sri Lankans sought better opportunities abroad. According to SLBFE data, around 314,000 Sri Lankans secured foreign employment in 2024, contributing USD 6.51 billion in remittances.
In a strategic shift, the SLBFE aims to enhance the proportion of professional workers in foreign employment. In 2024, 65% of Sri Lankan migrant workers were in professional job categories, while 35% were in lower-skilled roles. The 2025 goal is to increase the percentage of professionals to 75%, reducing lower-skilled job placements to 25%.
2025 Employment Plans: Key Destinations & Figures
To achieve the foreign revenue target, the SLBFE has outlined specific employment destinations and quotas for 2025:
- Middle Eastern Markets:
- 84,000 workers to Kuwait
- 55,000 to the United Arab Emirates
- 52,000 to Saudi Arabia
- Asia-Pacific & Other Regions:
- 15,900 workers to Israel
- 9,000 to Japan
- 8,000 to South Korea
Challenges & Road Ahead
While these numbers indicate a positive trajectory, much remains to be done to ensure the success of Sri Lanka’s foreign employment strategy. Key challenges include:
- Upskilling Workforce – Increasing professional placements requires enhanced vocational training and certification programs.
- Worker Protection – Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and legal support for migrant workers.
- Expanding Job Markets – Negotiating more direct employment agreements with developed nationsgive sementic key words
