Labour Force Survey 2023
Sri Lanka, 2023
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Jul 21, 2025
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Jul 21, 2025
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Identification
Survey ID Number
LKA-DCS-LFS-2023-V01
Title
Labour Force Survey 2023
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | LKA |
Study type
Labor Force Survey [hh/lfs]
Abstract
Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) designed a Labour Force Survey(LFS) on a quarterly basis to measure the levels and trends of employment, unemployment and labourforce in Sri Lanka on a continuous basis. This surveycommenced from the first quarter 1990 with USAID technical assistance and is being continuedby the DCS.
Mainly, following information can be obtained by the survey.
1.The economically active / inactive from population.
2.Employment by major industry group and employment status.
3.Unemployment rates by level of education and by age group
4.The informal sector employment.
5.The underemployment rates by sector and by major industries
6.Total Jobs in Sri Lanka with Secondary Employment
7.Informal Employment in Sri Lanka
8.Literacy
9.Computer Literacy
Mainly, following information can be obtained by the survey.
1.The economically active / inactive from population.
2.Employment by major industry group and employment status.
3.Unemployment rates by level of education and by age group
4.The informal sector employment.
5.The underemployment rates by sector and by major industries
6.Total Jobs in Sri Lanka with Secondary Employment
7.Informal Employment in Sri Lanka
8.Literacy
9.Computer Literacy
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
Individuals from the population aged 15 years or more
Version
Version Description
V01
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National Coverage
Universe
Working age population (15 years and above) living in the non-institutional households in Sri Lanka.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | Ministry of Finance,Planning and Economic Development |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Goverment of Sri Lanka | GOSL |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
Sampling plan and the sampling frame
Two stage stratified sampling procedure is adopted to select a sample of 25,750 housing units to be enumerated at the survey. The sampling frame prepared for 2012 Census of Population and Housing is used as the sampling frame for the sample selection of LFS in 2023.
Sample size
At the beginning in 1990, the sample size was 2,000 housing units per quarter in areas other than North and East, and the sample size was increased to 4,000 housing units per quarter in 1996 and continued thereafter. In 1992, 1997 and in 2004 an annual sample of 20,000 housing units was selected to give reliable estimates by district level. However, in order to provide district level estimates precisely, it was decided to use 20,000 -25,000 housing units as the annual sample from2006 to 2010. In 2022 25,750 Housing units were selected for the sample.
Sample Allocation
In 2023, 2575 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) were allocated to each district and to each sector(Urban, Rural and Estate) by using the Neymann allocation method which considers the variance of unemployment rate as usually. The allocated sample for each district then equally distributed for 12 months.
Selection of Primary Sampling Units(PSU)
Primary sampling units are the census blocks prepared at the Census of Population and Housing - 2012.
Selection of Secondary Sampling Units (SSU)
Secondary Sampling Units are the housing units in the selected 2575 primary sampling units (census blocks). From each selected primary sampling unit, 10 housing units (SSU) are selected for the survey using systematic random sampling method.
Two stage stratified sampling procedure is adopted to select a sample of 25,750 housing units to be enumerated at the survey. The sampling frame prepared for 2012 Census of Population and Housing is used as the sampling frame for the sample selection of LFS in 2023.
Sample size
At the beginning in 1990, the sample size was 2,000 housing units per quarter in areas other than North and East, and the sample size was increased to 4,000 housing units per quarter in 1996 and continued thereafter. In 1992, 1997 and in 2004 an annual sample of 20,000 housing units was selected to give reliable estimates by district level. However, in order to provide district level estimates precisely, it was decided to use 20,000 -25,000 housing units as the annual sample from2006 to 2010. In 2022 25,750 Housing units were selected for the sample.
Sample Allocation
In 2023, 2575 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) were allocated to each district and to each sector(Urban, Rural and Estate) by using the Neymann allocation method which considers the variance of unemployment rate as usually. The allocated sample for each district then equally distributed for 12 months.
Selection of Primary Sampling Units(PSU)
Primary sampling units are the census blocks prepared at the Census of Population and Housing - 2012.
Selection of Secondary Sampling Units (SSU)
Secondary Sampling Units are the housing units in the selected 2575 primary sampling units (census blocks). From each selected primary sampling unit, 10 housing units (SSU) are selected for the survey using systematic random sampling method.
Weighting
Please refer page number 6 of annual report for weighting procedure
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 | 2023-12-31 |
Time periods
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 | 2023-12-31 |
Data Collection Mode
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]
Supervision
Regular field supervisions were carried out throughout the year to check the concepts and definitions are being used by the enumerators accurately.
Data Collection Notes
The field work of the survey for the year 2023 was conducted from January to December. The census blocks prepared at 2012 population census were used as primary sampling units. Listing operation for primary sampling unit update was conducted, at this survey.In 2017, CAPI was introduced in 1st quarter and the field staff was trained.
Eventually, at the end of year 2017 CAPI method was established in all districts for data collection and manual editing also had done where necessary.The field staff of the DCS involved in survey data collection activities specially trained for CAPI method. A Deputy Director/Senior Statistician/Statistician attached to each District Secretariat are responsible for coordination and supervision activities at district level.
Eventually, at the end of year 2017 CAPI method was established in all districts for data collection and manual editing also had done where necessary.The field staff of the DCS involved in survey data collection activities specially trained for CAPI method. A Deputy Director/Senior Statistician/Statistician attached to each District Secretariat are responsible for coordination and supervision activities at district level.
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | DCS | Ministry of Finance,Planning and Economic Development |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
Survey Schedule and CAPI Programme
Current survey concepts and methods are very Similar to those introduced at the beginning. However, some changes have been made over the years in 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the data.
The questionnaire is attached in the final report.
Current survey concepts and methods are very Similar to those introduced at the beginning. However, some changes have been made over the years in 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the data.
The questionnaire is attached in the final report.
Data Processing
Data Editing
Data was processed by following 2 steps,
1. Feeding data to the CAPI system by enumerator.
2. Sending data to the head office through each district offices.
Computer edit check programs are used to capture unusual observations in the data files.
1. Feeding data to the CAPI system by enumerator.
2. Sending data to the head office through each district offices.
Computer edit check programs are used to capture unusual observations in the data files.
Data Appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
The estimation procedure is given in the section 2.6 in the Annual Report.The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
Data Appraisal
The adjustments for non-response is given in the section 2.7 in the Annual Report.The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Unit | Department of Census and Stastistics | information@statistic.gov.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
| Sample Survey Division | Department of Census and Stastistics | sample.survey@statistics.gov.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
Confidentiality
Under the Statistical ordinance, micro data cannot be released with identifications for public use. Procedures are in place to ensure that information relating to any particular individual person, household or undertaking will be kept strictly confidential and will not be divulged to external parties. Information on individual or individual Household/establishment will not be divulged or published in such a form that will facilitate the identification of any particular person or establishment as the data have been collected under the Census/Statistical ordinance, according to which the information at individual level cannot be divulged and such information is strictly confidential.
Access conditions
The dataset has been anonymized and is available as a Public Use Dataset. It is accessible to all for statistical and research purposes only, under the following terms and conditions:
1. The data and other materials will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organizations without the written agreement.
2. The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
3. No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identity of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently.
4. No attempt will be made to produce links among datasets provided by the Department or among data from the Department and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
5. Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the Department will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
6. An electronic copy of all reports and publications based on the requested data will be sent to the Department
The following rules apply to micro data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
• Only the requests of Government Institutions, Recognized Universities, Students, and selected international agencies are entertained. However, the Data users are required to strictly adhere to
the terms stipulated in the agreement form.
• All the data requests should be made to Director General (DG) of the DCS as the sole authority of releasing data is vested with the DG, DCS. DCS of Sri Lanka reserves sole right to approve or reject any data request made depending on the confidential nature of the data set and intended purpose of the study or analysis.
• Requests for micro data should be made through the agreement form designed by DCS for this purpose (Form D.R.1). The agreement form should be filled in triplicate and the Study/project proposal should accompany the filled agreement form. If requests are made for the micro data of more than one survey, a separate agreement should be signed.
• If the data request is from a student a letter from the respective Dept. Head/Dean/Supervisor, recommending the issue of data, should also be accompanied.
• The released Data file should be used only for the specific study/Analysis mentioned in the agreement form and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior approval of the Director General of the DCS. Moreover, Copies of the micro-data file, obtained from the DCS, shall not be given to anyone else without the prior written approval of the Director General of the DCS.
• The draft report of the Study/Analysis should be submitted to the DCS and the concurrence of the DG, DCS, should be obtained before publishing it. Once published, a copy of the final report should be submitted to the DCS.
[Department : The Department of Census and Statistics]
Source : http://www.statistics.gov.lk/databases/data%20dissemination/DataDissaPolicy_2007Oct26.pdf
1. The data and other materials will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organizations without the written agreement.
2. The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
3. No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identity of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently.
4. No attempt will be made to produce links among datasets provided by the Department or among data from the Department and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
5. Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the Department will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
6. An electronic copy of all reports and publications based on the requested data will be sent to the Department
The following rules apply to micro data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
• Only the requests of Government Institutions, Recognized Universities, Students, and selected international agencies are entertained. However, the Data users are required to strictly adhere to
the terms stipulated in the agreement form.
• All the data requests should be made to Director General (DG) of the DCS as the sole authority of releasing data is vested with the DG, DCS. DCS of Sri Lanka reserves sole right to approve or reject any data request made depending on the confidential nature of the data set and intended purpose of the study or analysis.
• Requests for micro data should be made through the agreement form designed by DCS for this purpose (Form D.R.1). The agreement form should be filled in triplicate and the Study/project proposal should accompany the filled agreement form. If requests are made for the micro data of more than one survey, a separate agreement should be signed.
• If the data request is from a student a letter from the respective Dept. Head/Dean/Supervisor, recommending the issue of data, should also be accompanied.
• The released Data file should be used only for the specific study/Analysis mentioned in the agreement form and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior approval of the Director General of the DCS. Moreover, Copies of the micro-data file, obtained from the DCS, shall not be given to anyone else without the prior written approval of the Director General of the DCS.
• The draft report of the Study/Analysis should be submitted to the DCS and the concurrence of the DG, DCS, should be obtained before publishing it. Once published, a copy of the final report should be submitted to the DCS.
[Department : The Department of Census and Statistics]
Source : http://www.statistics.gov.lk/databases/data%20dissemination/DataDissaPolicy_2007Oct26.pdf
Citation requirements
"Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey - 2023, Version 1.0 of the public use dataset , provided by the National Data Archive, Data Processing Division, www.statistics.gov.lk"
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director General | Department of census and statistics | dgcensus@statistics.gov.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The Department of Census and Satatistics bears no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the secondary use of the data
Copyright
(C) 2023, Department of Census and Statistics
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-LKA-DCS-LFS-2023-V01
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | DCS | Ministry of Finance,Planning and Economic Development | Data Collection,publishing |
Date of Metadata Production
2025-07-14
DDI Document version
Version 01