The number of Sri Lankan workers leaving for work abroad has decreased by 5% in the first six months of 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
It is said that improving domestic economic conditions and rising local wages have led to a decrease in the number of workers going abroad.
The total number of Sri Lankans who left for work abroad in the first six months of 2025 is 143,037.
The report says that emigration, which was at a high level during the last economic crisis, has been showing a gradual decline since February, which can be seen as a result of the stabilization of the local labor market.
Despite the decrease in the number of workers, there has been a significant increase in remittance receipts. Remittances rose to US$695.7 million in September, the third highest monthly receipts recorded so far in 2025.