Sri Lanka

The population of Sri Lanka is approximately 22M (2024).

The capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $5K (2024).

Life expectancy in Sri Lanka is 77.67 years (2024).

Sri Lanka covers 65,610 km² (25,332 sq mi).

Sri Lanka is densely populated, with 330 people per km² — above the global average of 60.

Sri Lanka's population is shrinking at 0.6% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.

Based on GDP per capita, Sri Lanka falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $5K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Sri Lanka's intentional homicide rate is 3.3 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Sri Lanka has 2 official languages: Sinhala, Tamil.

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee (Rs රු) as its sole official currency.

Sri Lanka is an island nation and shares no land borders.

The best months to visit Sri Lanka are January, February, based on climate data for the capital.

Current estimates show the population of Sri Lanka is approximately 22 million people. This ranks the nation 60 globally and 7 within the Southern Asia subregion. Despite its land area of 65610 km² (25332 sq mi), the country has recently seen a slight annual population growth decline of 0.55 percent.

The latest estimates indicate a GDP per capita of 4,979 USD. This figure places Sri Lanka at a rank of 139 globally and 30 in Asia. Nationally, the economy is supported by diverse sectors including agriculture and manufacturing, which have contributed to a recent annual GDP growth rate of 5.01 percent.

Sri Lanka has a high adult literacy rate of 92.7 percent, which ranks 93 globally. This strong educational foundation is the result of decades of investment in a free education system that spans from primary through tertiary levels. Consequently, the nation maintains one of the most educated workforces in Southern Asia.

Approximately 54.6 percent of the population in Sri Lanka are internet users. While this figure ranks 160 globally, the country is seeing steady growth in digital connectivity and mobile penetration. The government and private sector continue to invest in expanding broadband access to support a growing digital economy and remote learning.

The current unemployment rate in Sri Lanka is 4.01 percent, which ranks 119 globally when measuring from the lowest rates first. The labor market is diverse, with significant employment found in the services sector, garment manufacturing, and plantation agriculture, particularly in the world-renowned tea industry.

Sri Lanka is currently ranked global 60 of 215 countries in terms of total population. Regionally, it holds the 23rd position out of 49 countries in Asia and is the 7th largest out of 9 nations in the Southern Asia subregion, according to the latest available rankings.

The estimated 2026 population density is 350.4 people per km² (907.5 per sq mi). This places the island 31st in the world for population density. The highest concentration of residents is found in the Western Province, particularly around the commercial capital, Colombo, and the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

The current fertility rate is 1.952 births per woman, which is 107th globally. This rate is below the 2.1 children per woman required for a population to replace itself without migration. The decline is a result of long-term health policies, high literacy rates, and increased female participation in the workforce.

Approximately 20.3% of the population lives in urban areas, which is one of the lowest percentages worldwide, ranking 210 of 215. This statistic is largely due to administrative definitions that classify many built-up areas as rural, despite their proximity and functional links to major city centers.