The total population in Sri Lanka was estimated at 22.0 million people in 2023, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Sri Lanka Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The annual population growth in Sri Lanka decreased to -0.65 percent compared to the previous year. Therefore, the population growth in Sri Lanka saw its lowest number in that year with -0.65 percent. Population growth refers to the annual change in population, and is based on the balance between birth and death rates, as well as migration.Find more key insights for the annual population growth in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata.

DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted.

REGION: Africa

SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator)

PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84

UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square

MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743.

FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org)

FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available.

Sri Lanka data available from WorldPop here.

The total population in Sri Lanka saw no significant changes in 2022 in comparison to the previous year 2021 and remained at around 22.4 million people. Nevertheless, 2022 still represents a peak in the total population in Sri Lanka. This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.Find more key insights for the total population in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bhutan.

Chart and table of Sri Lanka population from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

Contains data from the DHS data portal. There is also a dataset containing Sri Lanka - Subnational Demographic and Health Data on HDX.

The DHS Program Application Programming Interface (API) provides software developers access to aggregated indicator data from The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. The API can be used to create various applications to help analyze, visualize, explore and disseminate data on population, health, HIV, and nutrition from more than 90 countries.

WorldPop produces different types of gridded population count datasets, depending on the methods used and end application. Please make sure you have read our Mapping Populations overview page before choosing and downloading a dataset.

Datasets are available to download in Geotiff and ASCII XYZ format at a resolution of 30 arc-seconds (approximately 1km at the equator)

-Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020: Population density datasets for all countries of the World for each year 2000-2020 – derived from the corresponding Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 population count datasets by dividing the number of people in each pixel by the pixel surface area. These are produced using the unconstrained top-down modelling method.
-Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 UN adjusted: Population density datasets for all countries of the World for each year 2000-2020 – derived from the corresponding Unconstrained individual countries 2000-2020 population UN adjusted count datasets by dividing the number of people in each pixel, adjusted to match the country total from the official United Nations population estimates (UN 2019), by the pixel surface area. These are produced using the unconstrained top-down modelling method.

Data for earlier dates is available directly from WorldPop.

WorldPop (www.worldpop.org - School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton; Department of Geography and Geosciences, University of Louisville; Departement de Geographie, Universite de Namur) and Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University (2018). Global High Resolution Population Denominators Project - Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1134076). https://dx.doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/WP00674

In 1800, the population of the island of Sri Lanka was approximately 1.2 million. This figure would begin to grow following the island’s complete annexation into the British Empire with the end of the Second Kandyan War in 1815. Population growth then increased much faster towards the end of the 19th century, as child mortality rates dropped and large numbers of Indian migrants were imported to work on British plantations. These migrants were largely Tamil migrants from southern India, and by 1911, this group would make up almost 13 percent of the island’s population (on top of the existing 13 percent Sri Lankan Tamil population).

Population growth would expand rapidly in the years immediately following the island’s independence from the British Empire in 1948. However, this growth would slow in the 1950s, as legislation passed by the Sinhalese-dominated government immediately following independence resulted in the removal of citizenship for an estimated 700,000 Indian Tamils, and the deportation of over 300,000 to India over the following three decades. Growth would slow even further after the ethnic clashes of Black July in 1983, which marked the beginning of a civil war in Sri Lanka which would last from 1983 to 2009 and result in the death of over 80,000 people, and the displacement of an estimated 800,000. However, since the end of the civil war in 2009, the population of Sri Lanka has continued to grow, and in 2020, the population of Sri Lanka is estimated to be over 21 million.

Sri Lanka LK: Population: Ages 0-14: % of Total Population data was reported at 20.880 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 21.290 % for 2020. Sri Lanka LK: Population: Ages 0-14: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 24.130 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2021, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.140 % in 1990 and a record low of 20.880 % in 2021. Sri Lanka LK: Population: Ages 0-14: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sri Lanka – Table LK.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Sri Lanka LK: UCB Projection: Population: Mid Year: Growth data was reported at -0.030 % in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.010 % for 2049. Sri Lanka LK: UCB Projection: Population: Mid Year: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.730 % from Jun 1981 (Median) to 2050, with 70 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.620 % in 1981 and a record low of -0.030 % in 2050. Sri Lanka LK: UCB Projection: Population: Mid Year: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sri Lanka – Table LK.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

The population density in Sri Lanka saw no significant changes in 2022 in comparison to the previous year 2021 and remained at around 358.57 inhabitants per square kilometer. Still, the population density reached its highest value in the observed period in 2022. Population density refers to the average number of residents per square kilometer of land across a given country or region. It is calculated by dividing the total midyear population by the total land area.Find more key insights for the population density in countries like India and Bhutan.

Sri Lanka LK: Population: Total data was reported at 21,444,000.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 21,203,000.000 Person for 2016. Sri Lanka LK: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 16,996,451.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21,444,000.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 9,874,481.000 Person in 1960. Sri Lanka LK: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sri Lanka – Table LK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Rural population growth (annual %) in Sri Lanka was reported at --0.88005 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sri Lanka - Rural population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

In 2023, the share of urban population in Sri Lanka remained nearly unchanged at around 19.21 percent. Nevertheless, 2023 still represents a peak in the share in Sri Lanka with 19.21 percent. A population may be defined as urban depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the village, town, or city. The urbanization rate then refers to the share of the total population who live in an urban setting. International comparisons may be inconsistent due to differing parameters for what constitutes an urban center.

This data set include Sri Lanka census of population and housing 2012 with sex age and religion dis-aggregated data up to GND (4th Admin) level . This data set is shared by Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka during the 2016 flood response only for humanitarian response/agency purposes and updated with population projection up to 2022 by WFP and UNOCHA.

Population ages 05-09, male (% of male population) in Sri Lanka was reported at 7.8527 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sri Lanka - Population ages 5-9, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in Sri Lanka was reported at 14.94 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sri Lanka - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Access to electricity (% of population) in Sri Lanka was reported at 100 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sri Lanka - Access to electricity (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Abstract

A Census of Population and Housing is the single most extensive statistical undertaking of a country. In order to plan and implement programmes and activities, statistics are needed by the Government administrators of various levels, private users, research organizations and the general public.

The 2001 Census was conducted under the Census Ordinance, which was amended by the Census Act No 55 of 2000. Census Ordinance places the legal obligation upon the public to give accurate information to the Census officers. The ordinance also guarantees the confidentiality of the information collected at individual level. The CPH 2001 has been designed to collect various information about the characteristics of the population, housing units and the households in Sri Lanka.

The CHP2001 provides:

a. Reliable and detailed benchmark statistics on the size, distribution and composition of population. b. Information pertaining to the characteristics of the housing units. c. Information on the characteristics of the households d. Information pertaining to the characteristics of the disable persons.

Geographic coverage

National coverage The 2001 census enumeration was able to be carried out completely in 18 districts. These include all the 17 districts in Western, Central, Southern, North Western, North Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and Amparai district in the Eastern Province. Due to the disturbed conditions in Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, however, certain areas could not be enumerated completely.

Analysis unit

(1) Individual (2) Household

Universe

CPH 2001 covered all residents in each household and all units in each census block. The census did not cover diplomats.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

I) Population and Housing Schedule (F3): This schedule was used to collect 24 items from individuals pertaining to demographic and economic characteristics such as General information, Migration patterns, Educational characteristics, Economic characteristics, Nuptiality and Fertility and additional 9 items on Housing unit characteristics such as Occupancy status, Number of households in the unit, Number of occupants in the unit, Construction material of wall, floor, roof, Type of structure, Year of construction, Unit usage, Availability of rooms and Number of rooms and 7 items on Household such as Number of occupants in the household, Availability of toilet, Type of toilet, Source of drinking water, Type of lighting, Type of cooking fuel and Tenure

II) Schedule for Disabled Persons (F4): This schedule was used to collect information pertaining to 6 types of disabilities such as Vision, Hearing / Speaking, Manual/walking, Mental and Other Physical disabilities. [This is dealt with as a special census project and archived separately].

Data Collection Forms:

F1 - List of all the building units located in a Census block F2 - Administrative/Technical form (Summary of F1) F3 - Population and Housing Schedule (all information of the population, housing and household information). F4 - Schedule for disabled persons F5 - Special schedule for Tourists and Foreign visitors Schedule for post enumeration survey

Cleaning operations

Data processing consisted of two major phases: (1) Manual editing and coding, (2) Computer processing such as fixes while data entry, structure checking and completeness and secondary editing

Manual editing was confined in the field to simple checks such as verification of area identification codes and the codes for certain questions (e.g. district of birth). Coding was required only in respect of three questions, namely educational attainment, occupation and industry.

Data were entered for the second time to verify the original keyed data which is called the verification process. When the administrators fell that the overall error rate is diminishing, the verification process was mitigated step by step assuming that the operators are progressively improving in entering the questionnaires correctly.

A series of computer edit checks were carried out and records containing errors were printed for visual verification. These edit checks included both range and consistency checks. Finally limited number of imputations was done before the tabulation of data.

Processing was done on IBM S390 integrated server 3006 model B01 and several personal computers. Keyboard to disk type data entry was adopted for data capture.

The software Integrated Micro Computer Processing System (IMPS) developed by U.S. Bureau of Census was used to data processing activities including data entry.

Data appraisal

The Districtwise data files were analysed. the breakups of the analysis such as

1. Male/female totals
2. Frequencies
3. Housing unit types

were filed as standard benchmarks for each district to be used to compare various District Table figures.

There were 9 405 900 Facebook users in Sri Lanka in January 2025, which accounted for 43.1% of its entire population. The majority of them were men - 59.4%. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (2 900 000). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 35 to 44, where men lead by 1 300 000.