Sri Lanka Population: How Many People Live in Sri Lanka?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Sri Lanka? The current Sri Lanka population is 21 916 000 people in 2024. Sri Lanka has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 9 661 389 people in 1960, the population has grown to 21 916 000 in 2023, representing a growth of 12 254 611 people (+126.8%).
The country reached its peak population of 22 181 000 in 2022, after which population levels began to decline. This historical data provides valuable insights into Sri Lanka's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Sri Lanka (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Sri Lanka's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Sri Lanka.
📊 Sri Lanka Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9 661 389 | |
| 1970 | 12 287 110 | +2 625 721 (+27.2%) |
| 1980 | 14 847 974 | +2 560 864 (+20.8%) |
| 1990 | 16 352 458 | +1 504 484 (+10.1%) |
| 2000 | 19 293 054 | +2 940 596 (+18.0%) |
| 2010 | 20 879 089 | +1 586 035 (+8.2%) |
| 2020 | 21 919 000 | +1 039 911 (+5.0%) |
| 2024 | 21 916 000 | -3 000 (0.0%) |
This table presents Sri Lanka's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Sri Lanka without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Sri Lanka (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9 661 389 | |
| 1961 | 9 899 372 | +237 983 |
| 1962 | 10 143 754 | +244 382 |
| 1963 | 10 395 040 | +251 286 |
| 1964 | 10 653 397 | +258 357 |
| 1965 | 10 916 965 | +263 568 |
| 1966 | 11 183 928 | +266 963 |
| 1967 | 11 457 328 | +273 400 |
| 1968 | 11 736 088 | +278 760 |
| 1969 | 12 013 858 | +277 770 |
| 1970 | 12 287 110 | +273 252 |
| 1971 | 12 551 910 | +264 800 |
| 1972 | 12 809 205 | +257 295 |
| 1973 | 13 060 916 | +251 711 |
| 1974 | 13 305 693 | +244 777 |
| 1975 | 13 548 984 | +243 291 |
| 1976 | 13 796 770 | +247 786 |
| 1977 | 14 049 371 | +252 601 |
| 1978 | 14 310 128 | +260 757 |
| 1979 | 14 579 614 | +269 486 |
| 1980 | 14 847 974 | +268 360 |
| 1981 | 15 099 414 | +251 440 |
| 1982 | 15 286 567 | +187 153 |
| 1983 | 15 388 794 | +102 227 |
| 1984 | 15 441 860 | +53 066 |
| 1985 | 15 544 154 | +102 294 |
| 1986 | 15 731 256 | +187 102 |
| 1987 | 15 916 576 | +185 320 |
| 1988 | 16 078 621 | +162 045 |
| 1989 | 16 248 557 | +169 936 |
| 1990 | 16 352 458 | +103 901 |
| 1991 | 16 475 354 | +122 896 |
| 1992 | 16 739 284 | +263 930 |
| 1993 | 17 025 918 | +286 634 |
| 1994 | 17 275 773 | +249 855 |
| 1995 | 17 564 068 | +288 295 |
| 1996 | 17 905 018 | +340 950 |
| 1997 | 18 248 200 | +343 182 |
| 1998 | 18 596 003 | +347 803 |
| 1999 | 18 944 731 | +348 728 |
| 2000 | 19 293 054 | +348 323 |
| 2001 | 19 600 362 | +307 308 |
| 2002 | 19 805 752 | +205 390 |
| 2003 | 19 951 521 | +145 769 |
| 2004 | 20 087 605 | +136 084 |
| 2005 | 20 216 524 | +128 919 |
| 2006 | 20 352 411 | +135 887 |
| 2007 | 20 492 545 | +140 134 |
| 2008 | 20 629 378 | +136 833 |
| 2009 | 20 756 435 | +127 057 |
| 2010 | 20 879 089 | +122 654 |
| 2011 | 21 009 048 | +129 959 |
| 2012 | 21 169 458 | +160 410 |
| 2013 | 20 585 000 | -584 458 |
| 2014 | 20 778 000 | +193 000 |
| 2015 | 20 970 000 | +192 000 |
| 2016 | 21 209 000 | +239 000 |
| 2017 | 21 453 000 | +244 000 |
| 2018 | 21 670 000 | +217 000 |
| 2019 | 21 803 000 | +133 000 |
| 2020 | 21 919 000 | +116 000 |
| 2021 | 22 156 000 | +237 000 |
| 2022 | 22 181 000 | +25 000 |
| 2023 | 22 037 000 | -144 000 |
| 2024 | 21 916 000 | -121 000 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Sri Lanka from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Sri Lanka Population
What is the current population of Sri Lanka?
The population of Sri Lanka is estimated to be approximately 21 916 000 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Sri Lanka growing?
Sri Lanka has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.29% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 12 254 611 people (+126.8%) over this 64-year period.
How does Sri Lanka's population compare to other countries?
Sri Lanka ranks #104 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 21 916 000 people, Sri Lanka accounts for approximately 0.02% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Sri Lanka changed over time?
Over the past decades, Sri Lanka's population has increased from 9 661 389 people in 1960 to 21 916 000 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 22 181 000 in 2022. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 9 661 389 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 21 916 000 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 22 181 000 people in 2022, while the lowest in recent history was 9 661 389 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Sri Lanka?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Sri Lanka include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Sri Lanka?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Sri Lanka from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.