HistoryData

Population Pyramid of Sri Lanka2024

Total population
23.1M
Median age
34.1
Peak year
2051
Peak population
24.8M

Age & sex distribution over time

195019802000202420502100
1950 · 7.8M · median age 20.9
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 1950. Total population 7.8 million, median age 20.9. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1950
1980 · 14.8M · median age 21.5
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 1980. Total population 14.8 million, median age 21.5. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1980
2000 · 19.3M · median age 27.2
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 2000. Total population 19.3 million, median age 27.2. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2000
2024 · 23.1M · median age 34.1
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 2024. Total population 23.1 million, median age 34.1. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2024
2050 · 24.8M · median age 41.2
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 2050. Total population 24.8 million, median age 41.2. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2050
2100 · 21.2M · median age 50.9
Population pyramid: Sri Lanka, 2100. Total population 21.2 million, median age 50.9. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2100

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Values in thousands. Years after 2024 are medium-variant projections.

Key insights

Demographic profile

Sri Lanka presently shows a transitional pyramid, narrowing at the base as fertility declines but still with substantial youth cohorts. The median age in 2024 is 34.1 years.

Age composition

Children under 15 account for 22.0% of the population; people 65 and older account for 12.1%.

Peak population

UN medium-variant projections place Sri Lanka's peak population in 2051.

Long arc

In 1950 the population was 7.8 million with median age 20.9. Projected 2100 values are 21.2 million and median age 50.9.

More about Sri Lanka

Population history
Sri Lanka's population over time
Famous people
Notable figures from Sri Lanka
GDP history
Economic output of Sri Lanka
Life expectancy
Longevity in Sri Lanka
Inflation history
Price changes in Sri Lanka
Fertility rate
Births per woman in Sri Lanka
Average height
Adult height in Sri Lanka by birth year