Population growth in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Population growth was -0.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population growth in Sri Lanka, 1961–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division. Measured in annual %.
Analysis
Sri Lanka recorded -0.7% for population growth in 2025.
The figure is down 33.1% on the previous year and down 179.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth in Sri Lanka peaked at 2.5% in 1964 and was at its lowest, -2.8%, in 2013.
Sri Lanka ranks 205th of 215 countries on this measure, 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 | 2.4% | 2.3% | 2.5% | 9 |
| 1970s | 1.9% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.1% | 0.3% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.5% | 0.6% | 1.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.9% | 0.6% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5% | -2.8% | 1.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.0% | -0.7% | 1.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More climate change data for Sri Lanka
- Population, total 21.76 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 0.0% (2025)
- Urban population 4.45 million (2025)
- Urban population 20.5% (2025)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 12.95 billion cubic meters (2022)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 24.5% (2022)
- Terrestrial protected areas 30.8% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 3.7% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 0.3% (2025)
- CPIA public sector management and institutions cluster average 3.4 1=low to 6=high (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth in Sri Lanka?
- Population growth in Sri Lanka was -0.7% in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest population growth recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 2.5% in 1964.
- What is the lowest population growth recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.8% in 2013.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for population growth?
- Sri Lanka ranks 205th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population growth rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 179.7%. 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), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.