The revelation is made in a recent research report issued by the Department of Census and Statistics. The report focuses on Sri Lanka's workforce during the 3rd quarter of 2015.

According to the report findings, the majority of those who remain unemployed despite receiving a higher education, are female.

The number of unemployed persons is estimated as of 453,956 during the third quarter 2015. The unemployment rate for the third quarter 2015 is 5.0%.

According to the released statistics the estimated economically active population is about 9.0 million in the third quarter 2015. Of which 64.5% are males and 35.5% are females.

Out of the economically inactive population 25.4% are males and 74.6% are females.

The working age for Sri Lanka is defined as 15 years and above. Among the total working age population who are employed or unemployed during the reference week is identified as the economically active population.

The distribution of Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) by age group and by gender depicts high male participation compared to female in all age groups. The highest participation rate for male was reported from age group 35—39 years (97.4%), while that for females was reported from the age group of 40–44 years (50.8%).