Sri Lanka/Society

Society in Sri Lanka

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
22M(2023)
Population Growth
-0.7%(2023)
Fertility Rate
1.97(2023)
Death Rate
8.2 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-27.2K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
77.5 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
6.1 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
18 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
4.4%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
92%(2022)
Primary Enrollment
99.1%(2018)
Secondary Enrollment
89.5%(2022)
Tertiary Enrollment
23(2022)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
1.8%(2023)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
51.2%(2023)
Access to Electricity
100%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
89.3%(2022)
Urban Population
4.2M(2023)
Rural Population
17.8M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka has an estimated population of 22.0M
    2023
    . The country is confronting significant population decline, with a negative growth rate of -0.7%
    2023
    , posing long-term challenges for workforce sustainability and social security systems. A below-replacement fertility rate of 2.0 births per woman
    2023
    suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 27K individuals annually (or 1.2 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 77.5 years
    2023
    , though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, healthcare system effectiveness is further validated by favorable maternal and child health outcomes, reflected in a child mortality rate (under 5 years) of 6.1 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and a maternal mortality rate of 18 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    . These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 4.4% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
  • Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 92%
    2022
    , which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, the educational pipeline demonstrates high efficiency with 99% primary enrollment
    2018
    and 89% secondary participation
    2022
    , ensuring comprehensive skill development and a prepared workforce. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 1.8% of GDP
    2023
    , which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the primarily rural population distribution (81% rural population
    2023
    ) presents distinct challenges for universal infrastructure provision, service access, and economic modernization. Furthermore, basic infrastructure coverage includes 100% electricity access
    2023
    . However, digital connectivity at {currentInternet}% internet penetration
    2023
    indicates significant opportunities for further digital transformation and economic inclusion.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

Managing demographic trends is crucial for long-term economic planning and workforce stability.

Public Health System

Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.

Human Capital Formation

Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.