Net migration in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Net migration was -30,724 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Sri Lanka, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Sri Lanka stood at -30,724.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 12.8% on the previous year and down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Sri Lanka peaked at 150,724 in 1998 and was at its lowest, -225,450, in 1984.
That places Sri Lanka 184th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -8,545 | -12,610 | -6,696 | 10 |
| 1970s | -36,194 | -57,683 | -16,299 | 10 |
| 1980s | -101,440 | -225,450 | -26,460 | 10 |
| 1990s | 60,612 | -195,736 | 150,724 | 10 |
| 2000s | -66,853 | -118,594 | 123,894 | 10 |
| 2010s | -42,982 | -98,060 | -18,388 | 10 |
| 2020s | -28,813 | -30,724 | -27,245 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More financial sector data for Sri Lanka
- Official exchange rate 327.51 LCU per US$, period average (2023)
- Total reserves in months of imports 2.86 (2024)
- Net domestic credit 11.70 trillion current LCU (2019)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 46.9% (2019)
- Broad money 59.5% (2019)
- Net foreign assets 212.60 billion current LCU (2019)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 47.0% (2019)
- Domestic credit to private sector 47.0% (2019)
- Claims on central government, etc. 21.2% (2019)
- Claims on central government 6.7% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Sri Lanka?
- Net migration in Sri Lanka was -30,724 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 150,724 in 1998.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was -225,450 in 1984.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for net migration?
- Sri Lanka ranks 184th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.