Asia · Southern Asia
Sri Lanka Demographics
Sri Lanka counted 21.78 million usual residents in December 2024. Its population is now shaped by slower census growth, a narrower child population, low fertility, a larger older population and negative net migration.
Primary data: Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Registrar General’s Department, Department of Immigration and Emigration, and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
Last updated: July 21, 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Indicator Definitions and Current Values
| Indicator | Value | Year or Period | Measure Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,781,800 | December 2024 | Final census count of usual residents | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Mid-year population | 21,756,000 | July 1, 2025 | Provisional administrative estimate | Registrar General’s Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration |
| Average annual population growth | 0.5% | 2012–2024 | Intercensal average annual rate | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Median age | 35 years | 2024 | Census age distribution | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 1.3 births per woman | 2024 | Period total fertility rate | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Children aged 0–14 | 20.7% | 2024 | Share of census population | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Population aged 60+ | 18.0% | 2024 | Share of census population | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Population aged 65+ | 12.6% | 2024 | Share of census population | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Female population | 11,269,456 | 2024 | Final census count | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Male population | 10,512,344 | 2024 | Final census count | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Sex ratio | 93.3 males per 100 females | 2024 | Census sex ratio | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
| Population density | 350 people per km² | 2024 | Census population density | Census of Population and Housing 2024 |
Net Migration Reversed Positive Natural Change
Births remained above deaths throughout the official 2013–2024 mid-year series. The natural increase narrowed from 226,824 in 2013 to 56,377 in 2024, leaving a smaller margin against outward migration.
Net migration reached −222,715 in 2023 and −176,932 in 2024. These losses exceeded the natural increase, producing population changes of −144,395 and −120,555 respectively.
| Year | Measurement Period | Births | Deaths | Natural Increase | Net Migration | Population Change | Mid-Year Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | July 2012–June 2013 | 352,450 | 125,626 | 226,824 | −71,730 | 155,094 | 20,585,000 |
| 2014 | July 2013–June 2014 | 361,800 | 125,334 | 236,466 | −44,714 | 191,752 | 20,778,000 |
| 2015 | July 2014–June 2015 | 342,108 | 129,577 | 212,531 | −17,055 | 195,476 | 20,970,000 |
| 2016 | July 2015–June 2016 | 331,525 | 129,936 | 201,589 | 34,995 | 236,584 | 21,209,000 |
| 2017 | July 2016–June 2017 | 325,512 | 138,582 | 186,930 | 57,028 | 243,958 | 21,453,000 |
| 2018 | July 2017–June 2018 | 325,741 | 136,403 | 189,338 | 32,826 | 222,164 | 21,670,000 |
| 2019 | July 2018–June 2019 | 329,177 | 141,104 | 188,073 | −54,681 | 133,392 | 21,803,000 |
| 2020 | July 2019–June 2020 | 299,875 | 139,203 | 160,672 | −44,160 | 116,512 | 21,919,000 |
| 2021 | July 2020–June 2021 | 295,418 | 136,685 | 158,733 | 77,600 | 236,333 | 22,156,000 |
| 2022 | July 2021–June 2022 | 289,863 | 179,052 | 110,811 | −85,572 | 25,239 | 22,181,000 |
| 2023 | July 2022–June 2023 | 268,920 | 190,600 | 78,320 | −222,715 | −144,395 | 22,037,000 |
| 2024 | July 2023–June 2024 | 228,091 | 171,714 | 56,377 | −176,932 | −120,555 | 21,916,000 |
Post-census update: Between December 19, 2024 and June 30, 2025, births exceeded deaths by 15,471. Net migration was −41,002, producing a population change of −25,531 and a provisional July 2025 population of 21.756 million.
How the Population Balance Changed
- Natural increase fell by 170,447 between the 2013 and 2024 measurement periods.
- Net migration was positive in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, but negative in every other year shown.
- The 2023 and 2024 population losses occurred before deaths exceeded births.
- The recent decline therefore reflects the combination of a smaller natural increase and a larger negative migration balance.
Natural Increase and Net Migration Followed Different Paths
Natural Increase and Net Migration, 2013–2024
Official mid-year population components measured from July of the preceding year through June of the stated year
Source: Registrar General’s Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration. Values from 2018 onward are marked provisional in the 2024 release.
Census Growth Slowed Across the Last Two Intervals
Sri Lanka’s census population rose from 20.36 million in 2012 to 21.78 million in 2024, an increase of about 1.42 million. The official average annual intercensal growth rate slowed from 0.7% in 2001–2012 to 0.5% in 2012–2024.
The long census record shows that the current slowdown followed much faster growth during the middle decades of the twentieth century. A larger total population can therefore coexist with smaller recent birth cohorts and a declining mid-year estimate.
| Census Year | Population | Measure Type | Coverage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1871 | 2,400,400 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1881 | 2,759,800 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1891 | 3,007,800 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1901 | 3,566,000 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1911 | 4,106,400 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1921 | 4,497,900 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1931 | 5,306,900 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1946 | 6,657,300 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1953 | 8,097,900 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1963 | 10,582,000 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1971 | 12,689,900 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 1981 | 14,846,800 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | National total reported in the historical census series |
| 2001 | 18,797,300 | Published census-series total | Enumeration was incomplete in seven northern and eastern districts; the national series includes an official adjustment |
| 2012 | 20,359,400 | Census count, source rounded to nearest 100 | First complete nationwide census since 1981 |
| 2024 | 21,781,800 | Final census count | Usual-resident population |
Sri Lanka Census Population, 1871–2024
Published national totals from the historical census series
Source: Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Statistical Abstract 2025. Historical values are displayed to the precision used in the source table.
The Child Share Fell as the Older Share Rose
The share of the population aged 0–14 fell from 25.2% in 2012 to 20.7% in 2024. The share aged 65 and over rose from 7.9% to 12.6% over the same period.
The broad working-age share changed little when defined as ages 15–64. Its internal composition still shifted because younger cohorts became smaller and more people moved into later working ages.
| Age Group | 2012 Share | 2024 Share | Change | Measure Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–14 | 25.2% | 20.7% | −4.5 percentage points | Share of census population |
| 15–64 | 66.9% | 66.7% | −0.2 percentage points | Share of census population |
| 65+ | 7.9% | 12.6% | +4.7 percentage points | Share of census population |
Broad Age Structure, 2012 and 2024
Percentage distribution of the census population
Source: Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics. Shares may not reproduce unrounded source totals when added from displayed values.
Age threshold: The 2024 census reports that 18.0% of residents were aged 60 or older. The 65+ share was 12.6%. These measures answer different questions and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The Population Pyramid Has a Narrower Base
The 0–4 cohort contained 1.22 million people in 2024, compared with 1.74 million aged 10–14 and 1.80 million aged 15–19. This pattern records a marked reduction in the size of the youngest cohort.
Males slightly outnumbered females through ages 15–19. A female majority appeared from ages 20–24 and widened in later life. Among residents aged 75 and over, the census counted 577,630 females and 372,839 males.
Sri Lanka Population Pyramid, 2024
Population by five-year age group and sex, with a combined category for ages 75 and over
Source: Census of Population and Housing 2024, population distribution by sex and age. Male values are encoded as negative only to position them on the left side of the chart.
Population by Age Group and Sex
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total | Male Share | Female Share | Males per 100 Females |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | 611,081 | 604,039 | 1,215,120 | 50.3% | 49.7% | 101.2 |
| 5–9 | 788,544 | 767,979 | 1,556,523 | 50.7% | 49.3% | 102.7 |
| 10–14 | 880,905 | 854,291 | 1,735,196 | 50.8% | 49.2% | 103.1 |
| 15–19 | 907,739 | 887,299 | 1,795,038 | 50.6% | 49.4% | 102.3 |
| 20–24 | 790,215 | 818,391 | 1,608,606 | 49.1% | 50.9% | 96.6 |
| 25–29 | 662,751 | 709,707 | 1,372,458 | 48.3% | 51.7% | 93.4 |
| 30–34 | 682,568 | 731,492 | 1,414,060 | 48.3% | 51.7% | 93.3 |
| 35–39 | 705,129 | 747,574 | 1,452,703 | 48.5% | 51.5% | 94.3 |
| 40–44 | 785,927 | 816,417 | 1,602,344 | 49.0% | 51.0% | 96.3 |
| 45–49 | 730,439 | 760,326 | 1,490,765 | 49.0% | 51.0% | 96.1 |
| 50–54 | 651,086 | 690,721 | 1,341,807 | 48.5% | 51.5% | 94.3 |
| 55–59 | 603,425 | 672,631 | 1,276,056 | 47.3% | 52.7% | 89.7 |
| 60–64 | 548,145 | 635,165 | 1,183,310 | 46.3% | 53.7% | 86.3 |
| 65–69 | 446,914 | 544,892 | 991,806 | 45.1% | 54.9% | 82.0 |
| 70–74 | 344,637 | 450,902 | 795,539 | 43.3% | 56.7% | 76.4 |
| 75+ | 372,839 | 577,630 | 950,469 | 39.2% | 60.8% | 64.5 |
| All ages | 10,512,344 | 11,269,456 | 21,781,800 | 48.3% | 51.7% | 93.3 |
Where the Sex Balance Shifts
- The sex ratio exceeded 100 males per 100 females in every age group from 0–4 through 15–19.
- The ratio fell below 100 at ages 20–24 and remained below 100 through the oldest category.
- Females represented 60.8% of the population aged 75 and over.
- The total population contained about 757,000 more females than males.
Birth Registrations Fell Faster Than the Total Population Changed
The 2024 census reported a total fertility rate of 1.3 births per woman. This is a period fertility measure based on age-specific fertility, not the number of births registered during one calendar year.
Registered births declined from 363,343 in 1989 to 247,900 in 2023. The crude birth rate fell from 21.6 to 11.2 births per 1,000 population across the selected years. Provisional calendar-year records show a further reduction to 220,761 births in 2024 and 214,570 in 2025.
| Year | Registered Births | Crude Birth Rate | Data Status | Source Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 363,343 | 21.6 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2000 | 347,749 | 18.2 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2007 | 386,573 | 19.3 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2010 | 363,881 | 17.6 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2012 | 359,959 | 17.6 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2015 | 336,097 | 16.0 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2018 | 328,409 | 15.1 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2019 | 319,010 | 14.6 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2020 | 301,706 | 13.8 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2021 | 284,848 | 12.9 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2022 | 275,321 | 12.4 per 1,000 | Published vital statistics | Statistical Abstract vital statistics |
| 2023 | 247,900 | 11.2 per 1,000 | Provisional birth count in the later district release | Statistical Abstract and registered vital events |
Three separate measures: The total fertility rate estimates births per woman under current age-specific fertility rates. Registered births count events. The crude birth rate divides annual births by the population and expresses the result per 1,000 residents.
Foreign-Employment Departures Are Not Net Migration
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment recorded 300,162 departures for registered foreign employment by December 13, 2024. Men accounted for 177,804 departures and women for 122,358.
This administrative flow does not measure permanent settlement and cannot be subtracted directly from the resident population. The official net migration series instead calculates arrivals minus departures across the national border during the stated mid-year period.
| Measure | Value | Period | What It Measures | What It Does Not Measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net migration | −176,932 | July 2023–June 2024 | Arrivals minus departures used in the official mid-year population calculation | Foreign-employment departures alone |
| Registered foreign-employment departures | 300,162 | January–December 13, 2024 | Workers recorded as departing for overseas employment | Net migration, permanent emigration or diaspora population |
| Male foreign-employment departures | 177,804 | January–December 13, 2024 | Male workers within the registered departure total | All male residents leaving Sri Lanka |
| Female foreign-employment departures | 122,358 | January–December 13, 2024 | Female workers within the registered departure total | All female residents leaving Sri Lanka |
How the Main Demographic Measures Fit Together
The census total increased between 2012 and 2024, but administrative mid-year estimates declined in 2023, 2024 and the post-census portion of 2025.
The 0–4 cohort was about 580,000 smaller than the 15–19 cohort in the 2024 census, recording the contraction at the base of the age structure.
The 65+ share rose by 4.7 percentage points between the 2012 and 2024 censuses, with a widening female majority at later ages.
Net migration, labour departures and permanent emigration describe different populations, periods and administrative processes.
Data Sources and Methodology
The page prioritizes final census counts for population structure and administrative records for births, deaths and border movements. Each value retains its source date and measure type. Census totals, mid-year estimates and registered-event counts are kept in separate series.
Natural increase equals registered births minus registered deaths. Population change in the mid-year releases equals natural increase plus net migration. Male and female shares and age-specific sex ratios in the detailed table were calculated from the published 2024 census counts and rounded to one decimal place.
| Source | Release or Data Year | Used For | Measure Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2024 Final Report | 2024 census; final findings released in 2026 | Final population, median age, fertility, broad age shares, sex ratio, density and aging measures | Final census count and census-derived indicators |
| Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Statistical Abstract 2025, Population Chapter | Historical census years through 2024 | Historical census totals and detailed 2024 age-sex counts | Published census tables |
| Registrar General’s Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration, Mid-Year Population Release | 2013–2024 series | Births, deaths, natural increase, net migration, population change and mid-year population | Administrative estimate; 2018–2024 marked provisional in the release |
| Registrar General’s Department and Department of Immigration and Emigration, Estimated Mid-Year Population 2025 | July 1, 2025 | Post-census births, deaths, natural increase, net migration and provisional mid-year population | Provisional administrative estimate based on the 2024 census benchmark |
| Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Statistical Abstract Vital Statistics | Selected years, 1989–2023 | Registered birth counts and crude birth rates | Civil registration statistics |
| Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics, Registered Births, Deaths and Marriages by District | 2019–2025 | Provisional national birth totals for 2024 and 2025 | Registered vital events |
| Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment | 2024 | Registered departures for foreign employment by sex | Administrative labour-departure count |
Coverage and Calculation Notes
- The 2024 census value is a count tied to the census reference date. The 2025 mid-year value is an estimate for July 1.
- The 2013–2024 population-component series normally covers July through June. The 2025 update covers December 19, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and is not a full twelve-month interval.
- Births and deaths occurring from December 19 through December 31, 2024 were proportionally estimated in the 2025 mid-year release.
- The historical census source reports national totals in thousands. Values are displayed to the precision available in that table.
- The 2001 census was not completed in seven northern and eastern districts. The published national historical series contains an official adjustment and should not be treated as having the same coverage as the complete 2012 and 2024 censuses.
- The population pyramid retains the source age bands, including a combined category for ages 75 and over.
- Percentage-point changes, age-specific sex ratios and male-female shares were calculated from the published census values.
Methodological Safety Note: The December 2024 census count of 21,781,800 and the July 2025 mid-year estimate of 21.756 million refer to different dates and statistical procedures. They are not competing estimates for the same day. Net migration is arrivals minus departures in the official population calculation; registered foreign-employment departures are a separate labour-flow measure. The total fertility rate, annual birth count and crude birth rate also measure different aspects of fertility. Age shares based on 60+ and 65+ thresholds must retain their stated age boundaries.
Questions About Sri Lanka’s Population Data
Is Sri Lanka’s population growing or declining?
The census population increased from 20.36 million in 2012 to 21.78 million in December 2024. The administrative mid-year series recorded population losses in 2023 and 2024 because negative net migration exceeded natural increase. A long intercensal increase and a recent annual decline can occur within the same period.
Why is the 2024 census population different from the 2024 mid-year estimate?
The census counted usual residents in December 2024. The mid-year estimate refers to July 1, 2024 and was derived from the previous population base, registered births, registered deaths and net migration. The reference dates and methods differ.
Does the fertility rate of 1.3 mean only 1.3 children were born per household?
No. The total fertility rate estimates the number of births a woman would have if the age-specific fertility rates measured for the period continued through her reproductive years. It is not a household average or an annual birth count.
Do foreign-employment departures equal permanent emigration?
No. The foreign-employment figure counts workers recorded as leaving for overseas jobs. Some departures are temporary or repeated. Permanent emigration and net migration require different definitions and data.
Why are both 18.0% and 12.6% used for Sri Lanka’s older population?
The 18.0% value covers people aged 60 and over. The 12.6% value covers people aged 65 and over. Both come from the 2024 census, but they use different age thresholds.