The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) reports that 144,379 Sri Lankan migrant workers left the country for overseas employment between January and June 2025, with male workers outnumbering female workerssignificantly during this period.
According to SLBFE data, 88,684 men and 55,695 women secured foreign employment opportunities in the first half of the year.
The Middle East remains the primary destination for Sri Lankan workers. Kuwait topped the list with 38,806 departures, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 28,973, and Qatar with 21,958.
However, there is a noticeable shift in migration trends, with an increasing number of Sri Lankans choosing East Asian countries. Notably, 6,073 individuals departed for Japan, and 3,134 for South Korea within the same period.
In terms of foreign income, Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted a total of US$ 3.73 billion during the first six months of 2025 — a significant 18.9% increase compared to the US$ 3.14 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. For June 2025 alone, remittances totaled US$ 635.7 million.
The SLBFE has expressed optimism that total foreign remittances could reach US$ 7 billion by the end of the year, a target that would provide a much-needed boost to Sri Lanka’s economy.
