The bureau had set a target of sending 300,000 workers abroad this year, which has been achieved ahead of schedule. Authorities attribute this success to positive government policy decisions in the foreign employment sector, increased confidence among job seekers, greater awareness of skilled job opportunities, improved welfare facilities, and the implementation of entrepreneurship projects to uplift the migrant community’s economy.
This marks the third time in the past decade that overseas employment has exceeded 300,000, following 314,673 departures recorded in 2024.
Of those who migrated in 2025, 184,085 were men and 116,106 were women. A total of 194,982 workers migrated through self-arranged channels, while 105,209 departed through licensed recruitment agencies.
Kuwait remained the top destination with 75,200 Sri Lankan workers, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 57,037. Notably, there has been a growing trend of Sri Lankans seeking employment in countries such as South Korea, Israel, Romania, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. During 2025, 6,272 workers left for South Korea, 12,728 for Israel, 12,180 for Romania, and 10,717 for Japan.
Meanwhile, foreign remittances from migrant workers totaled USD 7.19 billion during the first 11 months of 2025, with USD 673.4 million received in November alone.
