Country profile · South Asia · UMC

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Upper middle income. Capital Colombo. Mid-pack GDP/cap (UMC · PEAK) across 41 World Bank / WHO / ILO measures.

21.9 million
Population
$99.6 billion
GDP
$4,545
GDP / capita
77.7 years
Life expectancy
RSS
South Asia Upper middle income Capital: Colombo

Mid-pack GDP/cap · PEAK

Sri Lanka ranks 73rd of 217 by total GDP and 78th for life expectancy - a upper middle income economy in South Asia.

#73
World GDP rank (of 217)
$4,545
GDP per capita
#78
Life-expectancy rank
#60
Population rank

Sri Lanka sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#141 of 214) as a UMC economy with PEAK longevity.

Sri Lanka vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$99,616,111,266 73rd of 214 higher than 141 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Sri Lanka on the global income map

Sri Lanka (LKA) mid GDP/cap pack - GDP per capita × life expectancy vs largest peers; gold rings = OECD.

Sri Lanka on the global income map Sri Lanka positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Sri Lanka - GDP/cap $4,545 (2024) · life expectancy 77.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Sri Lanka: GDP per capita $4,545 (2024), life expectancy 77.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Sri Lanka has a population of 21.9 million, making it the 60th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in South Asia.

Its economy totals $99.6 billion - ranked 73rd globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $4,545, placing it in the Upper middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 77.7 years (ranked 78th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Colombo.

👥 Demographics

Population
21.9 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
22.0%
2024
Population Ages 65+
12.1%
2024
Population Density
356.2/km²
2023
Urban Population
20.3%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$761.1 million
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$99.6 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
5.0%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$4,545.36
2024
Government Debt (% of GDP)
73.5%
2015
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
-0.4%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
42.1%
2024
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
3.7%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
5.2 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
77.7 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
18
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
1.1 per 1,000
2023
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
10.5
2024
Under-5 Mortality Rate
5.9 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
1.8%
2023
Literacy Rate (Adult)
92.7
2024
School Enrollment (Primary)
91.5
2023
School Enrollment (Secondary)
88.0
2023
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
20.7
2023
Youth Literacy Rate
98.9
2024

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
1.1
2024
Electric Power Consumption
644 kWh
2023
Forest Area
34.0
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
24.5
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
48.8%
2021

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Clean Water
46.9%
2024
Access to Electricity
100.0%
2023
Internet Users
54.6%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
132.5
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
31.0
2024
GINI Index
37.7
2019
Intentional Homicides
3.3
2019
Male Labor Participation
67.9
2024
Net Migration
-27,245
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
2.7%
2019

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 5 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Sri Lanka does report.

Overall
C+
61/100
Life expectancy C+
77.7 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality B+
5.9 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity A+
100.0%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water F
46.9%
World Bank, 2024 (151-country benchmark)
Safety (homicide rate) D
3.3 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2019 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Sri Lanka

41 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation21.9 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1422.0%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+12.1%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density356.2/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population20.3%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$761.1 million2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$99.6 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate5.0%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$4,545.362024
EconomyGovernment Debt (% of GDP)73.5%2015
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)-0.4%2024
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)42.1%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate4.2%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)3.7%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate5.2 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth77.7 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio182023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)1.1 per 1,0002023
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)10.52024
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate5.9 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)1.8%2023
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)92.72024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)91.52023
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)88.02023
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)20.72023
EducationYouth Literacy Rate98.92024
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita1.12024
EnvironmentElectric Power Consumption644 kWh2023
EnvironmentForest Area34.02023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal24.52022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption48.8%2021
InfrastructureAccess to Clean Water46.9%2024
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity100.0%2023
InfrastructureInternet Users54.6%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions132.52024
SocialFemale Labor Participation31.02024
SocialGINI Index37.72019
SocialIntentional Homicides3.32019
SocialMale Labor Participation67.92024
SocialNet Migration-27,2452024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)2.7%2019

🫀 Disease Burden

Among external causes, Sri Lanka stamps a suicide rate of 39.3 per 100,000 (fleet midpoint 23.3) - higher relative to peers than its NCD strip. Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
405
per 100K · 2021
Road Traffic Deaths
11.5
per 100K · 2021
Suicide Rate
39.3
per 100K · 2021

Injuries & External Causes

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Sri Lanka with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is classified as an upper-middle-income economy, a tier where statistical capacity, and therefore data completeness, varies more widely than in high-income countries, so a missing or older data point on this profile usually reflects reporting lag rather than an absence of the underlying activity. Output and income figures are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, which means currency depreciation or appreciation can shift the headline numbers for a small economy like this one even when the real economy is barely moving. Because these economies are also the ones most likely to shift income tier within a decade, the trend over several years usually tells a more useful story than any single year's value.

Sri Lanka sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#141 of 214) as a UMC economy with PEAK longevity.

Sri Lanka holds 21.9 million people and $99.6 billion GDP (73rd) at $4,545 per person - mid GDP/cap band, UMC, LE 77.7 years (78th, PEAK). 41 WDI/WHO/ILO cells fill the topic blocks.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Namibia at $4,502 (Δ $44). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Sri Lanka's numbers

Sri Lanka is classified UMC with PEAK. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Sri Lanka directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Sri Lanka ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. See our full disclaimer and editorial policy.