12/04/2026
Detailed Infographic (Sri Lanka Census 2012 vs 2024)
This infographic presents a comprehensive comparison of Sri Lanka’s demographic, social, and economic transformation over 12 years based on official census data.
📊 1. Total Population & Growth
2012: 20,359,439 → 2024: 21,781,800
Growth: +7% over 12 years
Density: 325 → 350 per km²
👉 Insight:
Population is still growing, but at a much slower pace, signaling demographic maturity.
🗺️ 2. Provincial Distribution
Western Province: 28.7% → 28.1%
Slight increases in North-Western and others
👉 Insight:
Population distribution is stable, but economic concentration remains in Western Province.
👶👵 3. Age Structure & Aging
Children (0–14): 25.3% → 20.7% ↓
Elderly (60+): 12.4% → 18.0% ↑
Median Age: 30 → 35 years
👉 Insight:
Sri Lanka is experiencing rapid demographic aging, one of the fastest in South Asia.
⚖️ 4. S*x Ratio & Dependency
S*x ratio: ~94 → 93.3
Female majority continues
Dependency shift:
Child dependency ↓
Old-age dependency ↑ (29.4)
👉 Insight:
Economic pressure is shifting toward supporting the elderly population.
🧬 5. Ethnic & Religious Composition
Sinhalese: 74.9% → 74.1%
Tamil & Muslim populations: slightly increased
Buddhism remains dominant (~69.8%)
👉 Insight:
Gradual increase in diversity, but overall structure remains stable.
🎓 6. Education & Literacy
Literacy: 95.7% → 97.4%
Computer literacy: 24.2% → 34.7%
Digital literacy: 67.6%
Gender gap closed
👉 Insight:
Sri Lanka is moving toward a digitally capable, educated society.
👨👩👧 7. Fertility & Marriage Trends
Fertility rate: ~2.1 → 1.3
Never married: ~30% → 41.8%
Marriage age rising
👉 Insight:
Major demographic shift:
Delayed marriages
Fewer children
Risk of future population decline
🏢 8. Economic Activity
~51% economically active
Shift toward service sector
👉 Insight:
Labour force participation remains moderate → needs improvement.
🏠 9. Housing & Living Conditions
Housing units increased significantly
Households: 6.11 million
Single-person households: 10.5%
👉 Insight:
Lifestyle changes:
Smaller families
More elderly living alone
🔟 10. Key Takeaways
Slower population growth
Rapid aging
Fertility collapse
Education improving
Rise of single households
👉 Big Picture:
Sri Lanka is transitioning into an
aging, urbanizing, and knowledge-driven society
⭐ Bottom Line Message (from infographic)
“Sri Lanka is aging, educating, and digitizing — but must prepare for a future with fewer young people and more elderly dependents.”