Urban Population: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's urban population is currently 20.3% as of 2024. # Sri Lanka Urban Population Sri Lanka's urban population stands at 20.
Current (2024)
20.3%
+0.8% y/y
Peak (1972)
22.4%
Low (2001)
14.6%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Sri Lanka
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Sri Lanka
Analysis# Sri Lanka Urban Population
Sri Lanka's urban population stands at 20.3% in 2024, representing a 15.6 percentage point increase since 1960. The country reached its peak urbanization rate of 22.436% in 1972, then experienced a significant decline to a low of 14.574% in 2001. Since that low point, urbanization has steadily recovered over the past two decades.
The recovery from 2001 onward shows consistent annual growth, with the urban population rising from 14.574% to 20.3% across 23 years. This reflects broader economic and demographic shifts driving migration toward urban centers. The recent trajectory indicates continued momentum toward higher urbanization, though the current rate remains below the 1972 peak, suggesting potential for further growth if historical patterns persist.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20.3% | +0.76% |
| 2023 | 20.1% | +0.79% |
| 2022 | 20.0% | +0.81% |
| 2021 | 19.8% | +0.84% |
| 2020 | 19.7% | +0.86% |
| 2019 | 19.5% | +0.88% |
| 2018 | 19.3% | +0.90% |
| 2017 | 19.2% | +0.93% |
| 2016 | 19.0% | +0.95% |
| 2015 | 18.8% | +0.97% |
| 2014 | 18.6% | +0.99% |
| 2013 | 18.4% | +0.93% |
| 2012 | 18.3% | +2.66% |
| 2011 | 17.8% | +3.12% |
| 2010 | 17.2% | +3.02% |
| 2009 | 16.7% | +2.87% |
| 2008 | 16.3% | +2.66% |
| 2007 | 15.9% | +2.40% |
| 2006 | 15.5% | +2.08% |
| 2005 | 15.2% | +1.70% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 14.9% | +1.27% |
| 2003 | 14.7% | +0.79% |
| 2002 | 14.6% | +0.25% |
| 2001 | 14.6% | -0.31% |
| 2000 | 14.6% | -0.84% |
| 1999 | 14.7% | -1.30% |
| 1998 | 14.9% | -1.69% |
| 1997 | 15.2% | -2.01% |
| 1996 | 15.5% | -2.26% |
| 1995 | 15.9% | -2.45% |
| 1994 | 16.3% | -2.57% |
| 1993 | 16.7% | -2.64% |
| 1992 | 17.1% | -2.66% |
| 1991 | 17.6% | -2.64% |
| 1990 | 18.1% | -2.57% |
| 1989 | 18.6% | -2.46% |
| 1988 | 19.0% | -2.33% |
| 1987 | 19.5% | -2.16% |
| 1986 | 19.9% | -1.97% |
| 1985 | 20.3% | -1.75% |
| 1984 | 20.7% | -1.50% |
| 1983 | 21.0% | -1.23% |
| 1982 | 21.3% | -0.91% |
| 1981 | 21.5% | -0.70% |
| 1980 | 21.6% | -0.67% |
| 1979 | 21.8% | -0.64% |
| 1978 | 21.9% | -0.60% |
| 1977 | 22.0% | -0.54% |
| 1976 | 22.1% | -0.48% |
| 1975 | 22.2% | -0.39% |
| 1974 | 22.3% | -0.28% |
| 1973 | 22.4% | -0.17% |
| 1972 | 22.4% | +0.01% |
| 1971 | 22.4% | +0.69% |
| 1970 | 22.3% | +1.47% |
| 1969 | 22.0% | +2.08% |
| 1968 | 21.5% | +2.53% |
| 1967 | 21.0% | +2.80% |
| 1966 | 20.4% | +2.87% |
| 1965 | 19.8% | +2.72% |
| 1964 | 19.3% | +2.34% |
| 1963 | 18.9% | +2.22% |
| 1962 | 18.5% | +2.47% |
| 1961 | 18.0% | +2.64% |
| 1960 | 17.6% | — |
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