Sri Lanka: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Sri Lanka — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
21,670,000
#58 of 197 countries
Area
65,610 km²
#124 of 248 countries
Density
330.3 / km²
#40 of 245 countries

Sri Lanka has a population of 21,670,000 spread across 65,610 km², giving it an average density of 330.3 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Sri Lanka
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Colombo
648,034
667 / km²
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
219,827
9761 / km²
Maharagama
195,355
4530 / km²
Jaffna
169,102
3444 / km²
Moratuwa
168,280
3927 / km²
Negombo
137,223
5576 / km²
Pita Kotte
118,179
4266 / km²
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
115,826
4266 / km²
Kandy
111,701
3636 / km²
Trincomalee
108,420
5534 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
34.2
Life Expectancy
76.8 yrs
Literacy Rate
92.7%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Sri Lanka is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 26% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$3,799
Cost of Living
26% of US
Inflation
16.5%
Inequality
37.7
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$13,800
Unemployment
5.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 8.2% of Sri Lanka's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$1,076,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
8.2%
Outbound Tourists
305,000
Air Passengers
3,866,001
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Sri Lanka has 1.14 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
1.14/1k
Hospital Beds
3.93/1k
Health Spend
$134/person
Infant Mortality
5.3/1k
Immunization
99%
Safe Drinking Water
90.2%
Basic Sanitation
95.4%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Sri Lanka, 51% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 142 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
51.2%
Mobile Subs
142/100
Broadband
8.8/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data