The Economy is Growing, but Where are the Jobs?

Abstract

The Sri Lankan economy is reported to have grown by 6.4 percent in 2012. This was less than what was hoped, but still a robust level of growth. In 2010 and 2011 growth was an extremely healthy 8 percent and 8.2 percent. The puzzle is that the growth in the economy is not being reflected in the jobs; this is true when tracking growth ever since 2005. This insight explores this puzzling phenomenon of jobless growth by isolating by industries and sectors, post-conflict areas and the public sector.