Sri Lanka
Country statistics · 1990–present
Sri Lanka at a Glance
Sri Lanka is home to 21.9 million people as of 2024, with a population that is growing slowly. At a GDP per capita of $4,516, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 77.7 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 21.9 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 10.1 and a death rate of 7.8 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 2.3 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 50,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Sri Lanka is a smaller economy, with a total GDP that stood at $99 billion (2024). At $4,516 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. The economy recorded solid growth of 5.0% in 2024. With an unemployment rate of 4.4% (2024), the labour market reflects a relatively tight labour market.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 77.7 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $134 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 92.7% (2024), reflecting a majority-literate adult population. 54.6% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating growing but uneven digital access. Access to safe drinking water reaches 46.9% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.