The 2023 economic crisis in Sri Lanka left deep scars on the country’s labor market and household finances, with 15.1% of the population losing their jobs, according to the final report of a nationwide Household Survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics.
The report reveals that male workers were disproportionately affected, with a higher percentage of men losing either their main or secondary sources of employment compared to women.
Beyond job losses, the crisis significantly strained household finances. The Department found that 60.5% of households reported a decline in their monthly income during the crisis. Simultaneously, a staggering 91.1% of households saw a rise in their average monthly expenditures, while only 5.3% reported stable spending levels.
Debt also became a major burden, with 54% of households falling into financial liabilities during the period. Additionally, the economic downturn had a direct impact on healthcare access, with 7% of the population reportedly not receiving adequate medical treatment due to financial constraints.
These figures underline the widespread socio-economic fallout from the crisis and highlight the urgent need for targeted policy responses to restore livelihoods and social protection.