FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION BY PROVINCES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The involvement of women in the labour force is a crucial factor in the country's economic development. This study asserted the ongoing economic problem of low female labour force participation. This was a puzzle when compared with the nation’s female literacy level, life expectancy, population growth, health facilities and higher education among the females. This research aims to find the factors that affect the female labour force among nine provinces in Sri Lanka. This study used secondary data from the Sri Lanka Labour Force survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) in 2022. This study applied ten logistic regression models by using Female labour force participation and the dependent variable for Sri Lanka and nine provinces. This result shows a decline in female labour force participation when moving away from the Western province. This study finds the socio-economic factors, fertility, language literacy, disability and training as the key determinants specific to each province. Then it represents the regional disparities in female labour force participation. This research postulated the policies recommended to address the regional development programmes, introduce a capable work schedule and provide the children’s infrastructure facilities, especially by focusing on the economic profile of each province.