Planning The Future Of Unemployed Youth

Sri Lanka, compared to other countries in the South Asian region, has a very high literacy rate as education is free and mandatory among all children. Even in some villages, where poverty persists, local state officials ensure that children receive an education and attend school.

- Namal Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka has an adult literacy rate of 93.2% (2017), which is above average by world and regional standards. Even with such a high literacy rate, Sri Lanka, is facing a staggering problem; the high levels of unemployment among youth. At present, Sri Lanka’s youth population amounts to 4.4 million out of the country’s 21.6 million population; which is about 20% of the total population. But youth unemployment is at 20.8% which is a high youth unemployment ratio in a developing country.

High unemployment in Sri Lanka has been attributed to unrealistic expectations, to queuing for public sector jobs, and to stringent job security regulations. For years, successive governments have been looking to solve this issue, but the stark reality is that Sri Lanka faces a shortage of skilled labor and jobs are scarce. Especially now, in the new COVID-19 affected world, the levels of unemployment will only rise, leading to several issues among our most vital social segment.

Following my appointment as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in August, I have been holding extensive discussions with youth from across the country. And the leading problem discussed in each district is the high levels of unemployment; which results in many social and personal issues facing them. As a result, it was discussed that many of our youth then prefer to go overseas, in search of employment, thus driving away Sri Lanka’s crucial workforce to other nations. In order to provide some solution to this staggering problem, I held discussions with President