Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka has made significant strides in social and economic development over the past decade. Economic growth has averaged over seven percent a year over the past five years, following an average growth rate of six percent in the preceding five years. However, these advancements mask several pockets of the country where poverty rates are high, most notably the Northern and the Eastern Provinces of the country. The objective of the socio-economic assessment is to gain a better understanding of the current social and economic conditions and dynamics in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, with a view to better inform programmatic engagement in these two provinces. Specifically, the study looked across the districts of the North and East to determine key socio-economic and demographic patterns, as well as labor force dynamics, and economic information. This was complemented by an in-depth analysis with social groups both directly and indirectly affected by the conflict with a view to better understand the post-war and current social and community dynamics of the area.