January 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a surge in its workforce going abroad, with 312,836 individuals seeking employment overseas in 2024, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
This marks a new record, surpassing the previous high of 297,584 workers who went abroad in 2023.
Of the total, 185,162 were male workers, while 127,674 were female workers.
The data highlights a growing trend of Sri Lankans pursuing job opportunities abroad, with the top destinations being Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where 77,546 and 51,550 Sri Lankans were employed, respectively.
In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable shift in migration patterns. More Sri Lankans are opting to work in countries such as South Korea, Israel, and Japan, which are becoming increasingly attractive due to better job prospects and improved working conditions.
In 2024, 7,098 Sri Lankans headed to South Korea, 9,665 went to Israel, and 8,665 found work in Japan.
The growing number of workers abroad has had a significant impact on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, with Sri Lanka receiving a substantial boost in remittances.
By the end of November 2024, the total foreign exchange earnings from overseas workers had reached USD 6,462 million, reflecting a marked increase in the financial contributions of Sri Lankans working abroad.
These figures contrast with the previous year, where 2023 saw a total of 297,584 individuals go abroad, with 164,680 male and 132,904 female workers.
