Around 43% of young Sri Lankans with postsecondary education are unemployed, according to data presented by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The figure is around 42% in India and 36% in Bangladesh, compared with about 19% globally.

The IMF noted that the figures highlight a mismatch between the skills gained through education and the requirements of the labour market.

It also stressed the need to align education, vocational training and reskilling programmes more closely with changing employment demands.