Sri Lanka Population Pyramid (2025)

Sri Lanka has a population of 23.2 million people as of 2025, representing approximately 0.29% of the global population. While not among the world's most populous nations, Sri Lanka's demographic characteristics are significant for regional development patterns. The country's population size positions it as a smaller but notable country in global demographic terms. Understanding Sri Lanka's population dynamics provides insights into broader trends affecting similar-sized countries worldwide, particularly regarding development challenges and opportunities.

Sri Lanka's population has grown moderately by 89.1% since 1970, reflecting balanced demographic transition. This measured growth resulted from declining fertility rates as the country developed economically, while mortality improvements extended lifespans. The demographic transition shows emerging aging challenges with current fertility at estimated 2.1 children per woman. Urbanization, education expansion, and women's workforce participation contributed to smaller family sizes, while healthcare improvements reduced death rates. This demographic balance provides Sri Lanka with manageable dependency ratios and sustainable population growth patterns typical of middle-income developing nations.

Life expectancy in Sri Lanka is approximately 73 years as of 2025, reflecting the country's improving healthcare infrastructure and moderate development levels. This figure represents significant progress from historical levels, with improvements driven by better medical care, vaccination programs, improved nutrition, and sanitation infrastructure. The current age structure with 12.5% elderly suggests ongoing mortality transition. Life expectancy varies by gender, with women typically living 4-6 years longer than men. Regional differences exist, with urban areas generally showing higher life expectancy due to better healthcare access and living conditions compared to rural regions.

Approximately 955 babies are born in Sri Lanka each day, based on estimated fertility rates and population size. This translates to roughly 40 births per hour, reflecting the country's moderate fertility rates and demographic transition. Annual births total approximately 348,575, representing 1.5% of the current population. These birth rates suggest near-replacement fertility levels. Each day's births represent the future workforce, taxpayers, and society members who will shape Sri Lanka's development over the coming decades.

Sri Lanka's urbanization rate is approximately 65% as of 2025, meaning 15.1 million people live in cities and urban areas. This level of urbanization reflects ongoing urban transition as the economy modernizes. Urban population growth occurs through rural-urban migration, natural increase in cities, and expansion of urban boundaries. High urbanization creates challenges including housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and service delivery pressures. Urban areas typically show different demographic patterns than rural regions, with lower fertility rates, higher education levels, and different age structures due to migration patterns and lifestyle changes associated with city living.

Sri Lanka's total fertility rate of approximately 2.1 children per woman falls below the global average of 2.4 children per woman. This places Sri Lanka among countries with below-replacement fertility common in developed countries. Fertility trends reflect socioeconomic factors including education levels, women's workforce participation, urbanization, healthcare access, and cultural preferences for family size. Lower fertility enables per-capita investment but raises concerns about aging and labor force sustainability. Regional and urban-rural differences in fertility rates exist within Sri Lanka, with urban areas typically showing lower fertility than rural regions.

Sri Lanka has an estimated population density of approximately 29 people per square kilometer, which is considered very low density with vast unpopulated areas. This density reflects the relationship between Sri Lanka's population of 23.2 million and its geographic area. Population distribution is typically uneven, with higher concentrations in urban centers, fertile agricultural regions, and coastal areas, while mountainous, desert, or other challenging terrain remains sparsely populated. Lower density can provide advantages for resource availability but challenges for infrastructure development and service delivery. Density significantly impacts quality of life, economic development patterns, and environmental pressures within Sri Lanka.

Migration has notably influenced Sri Lanka's demographic composition through both internal rural-urban movement and international migration flows. Substantial rural-urban migration has driven urbanization, with millions moving to cities for economic opportunities, education, and improved living standards. International migration includes both emigration of Sri Lanka citizens seeking opportunities abroad and immigration of foreign nationals for work, study, or refuge. As a developing nation, Sri Lanka experiences both emigration of educated youth and immigration for specific labor needs. Migration affects age structure, as migrants are typically young adults, impacting both origin and destination regions. Remittances from emigrants abroad often provide significant economic benefits, while immigration can help address labor shortages and demographic challenges. Government policies on migration influence economic development, cultural diversity, and demographic sustainability in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's age structure, with 21.7% under 15, 65.8% working-age (15-64), and 12.5% elderly (65+), indicates intermediate development with demographic dividend opportunities. The median age of 34.4 years reflects a maturing population with established workforce patterns. This demographic structure presents challenges with high dependency ratios requiring substantial support systems. The smaller youth cohorts suggest approaching population stabilization and eventual aging pressures. Age structure directly influences economic planning, social service needs, labor market dynamics, and long-term fiscal sustainability in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's demographic profile creates notable economic challenges through its impact on labor markets, consumption patterns, and fiscal requirements. With 65.8% of the population in working ages, the country has abundant labor force potential supporting economic expansion. The dependency ratio of 51.9 means each working person supports 0.5 dependents, requiring substantial resources for dependent care. Smaller youth cohorts allow focus on education quality and skill development. Lower elderly proportions postpone aging-related fiscal pressures. These demographic patterns influence economic growth potential, social spending priorities, and long-term fiscal sustainability in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is entering a demographic dividend phase. Current demographic conditions suggest emerging opportunities for demographic benefits. The demographic dividend occurs when fertility declines create a bulge in working-age population while dependency ratios remain manageable. Sri Lanka shows more balanced age structures typical of dividend or post-dividend phases. Realizing demographic dividend benefits requires strategic investments in education, healthcare, job creation, and governance to enable the working-age population to contribute productively. Understanding demographic timing helps inform appropriate economic and social policies.

Sri Lanka's demographic characteristics show typical transitional patterns for its region. The median age of 34.4 years indicates more advanced demographic development than many regional neighbors. Fertility rates of approximately 2.1 children per woman align with regional demographic transition patterns. The elderly population proportion of 12.5% indicates more advanced aging than typical for the region. Economic development levels, education systems, healthcare access, and urbanization rates influence these demographic differences. Regional migration patterns also create demographic connections, with labor mobility and cultural exchange affecting population structures across neighboring countries. Understanding regional demographic contexts helps interpret Sri Lanka's development trajectory and policy needs.

Sri Lanka faces transitional demographic adjustments over the coming decades. Smaller youth cohorts will create eventual labor shortages and reduced economic dynamism. Future aging pressures will emerge as current working-age populations retire over the next 20-30 years. High fertility levels require continued investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to support growing populations. Additional challenges include addressing urban overcrowding and environmental sustainability. Climate change, technological disruption, and global economic shifts will compound demographic pressures. Successful navigation requires proactive policies addressing education, healthcare, employment, social protection, and sustainable development to manage demographic transitions effectively.

Sri Lanka's demographic profile creates moderate education system demands. With 21.7% of the population under 15, approximately 5.0 million children need educational services. Smaller youth cohorts allow focus on education quality improvements and per-student investment increases. Primary education enrollment should accommodate 1,680,329 children across different age groups, while secondary education serves older youth transitioning to workforce or higher education. Aging populations allow education system consolidation but require adult education and retraining programs. Education quality affects future demographic patterns through its impact on fertility rates, economic development, and social mobility. Investment in education systems directly influences Sri Lanka's ability to harness demographic dividends and manage demographic transitions successfully.

Sri Lanka's age structure generates balanced healthcare system requirements. With 12.5% of the population over 65, healthcare systems must address chronic diseases, long-term care, and age-related medical conditions requiring specialized services and higher per-capita costs. Smaller youth populations allow healthcare resource reallocation toward adult and elderly care needs. The demographic transition affects disease patterns, with infectious diseases and maternal/child health remaining significant concerns alongside emerging lifestyle-related conditions. Healthcare workforce planning must anticipate demographic changes, training sufficient geriatricians, pediatricians, and specialized care providers. Urban healthcare concentration requires rural service delivery strategies. Effective healthcare systems adapt to demographic transitions while ensuring universal access and financial sustainability.

Sri Lanka has more females than males, with approximately 94 males per 100 females. This balanced ratio affects marriage patterns, workforce participation, and social dynamics. Gender ratios vary by age group, with female advantages possibly indicating male emigration or mortality differences. Among elderly populations, women typically outnumber men due to higher female life expectancy. Gender dynamics influence economic development through women's workforce participation, education access, and reproductive health outcomes. Lower fertility typically accompanies increased women's education and workforce engagement. Understanding gender demographics helps inform policies on education equality, healthcare access, economic empowerment, and social development in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's population growth of 89% since 1970 creates manageable environmental pressures on natural resources and ecosystems. Smaller populations create proportionally lower environmental demands but still require sustainable resource management. High urbanization concentrates environmental impacts in cities, creating challenges for air quality, waste management, and water systems. Population density of 29 people per square kilometer allows for more sustainable resource use patterns. Stable population structures enable more predictable environmental planning. Climate change compounds demographic pressures through environmental migration, resource scarcity, and extreme weather impacts. Sustainable development requires balancing population needs with environmental protection through efficient resource use, renewable energy adoption, and conservation strategies in Sri Lanka.

Cultural values, traditions, and social norms significantly shape Sri Lanka's demographic behaviors including family formation, fertility preferences, and life transitions. Lower fertility typically accompanies cultural shifts toward individual achievement, women's empowerment, and quality-focused child-rearing. Religious beliefs, ethnic traditions, and historical experiences influence marriage timing, contraceptive use, and desired family sizes across different population groups. Urbanization creates cultural change as traditional rural values encounter modern urban lifestyles, affecting demographic behaviors. Educational expansion, particularly women's education, challenges traditional cultural norms while creating new demographic patterns. Aging populations may strengthen traditional cultural values while adapting to modern realities. Migration, both internal and international, creates cultural mixing and demographic diversity. Government policies on family planning, gender equality, and social welfare interact with cultural values to influence demographic outcomes. Understanding cultural contexts helps explain demographic variations within Sri Lanka and predict future population trends.