• Population 21,763,170, up by 1,403,731 from 2012 
• 0.5% ‘slow’ annual growth rate during 2012-2024
• 841 roofless in WP with 536 in Colombo

The Census of Population and Housing of last year (2024) has found that the latest population of Sri Lanka is 21,763,170.

According to the latest data, which was released yesterday (7), this census has shown an increase of 1,403,731 compared to the population reported in the Census of Population and Housing 2012.

The enumeration stage of the Census of Population and Housing 2024, the 15th census in Sri Lanka’s series of censuses, was conducted from October 2024 to the second week of February of this year (2025). The census moment was 00:00 hours on 19 December 2024. This report has been prepared based on islandwide data collected. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices. The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.

During the 2001-2012 inter-census period, the average annual population growth rate was 0.7%. For the 2012-2024 inter-census period, the average annual population growth rate is 0.5%. This indicates that while the population growth rate in Sri Lanka has slowed, the population continues to increase.

Meanwhile, the latest census has found that when considering the population by province – Western Province (WP) has the highest population, accounting for 28.1% of the total, while the Northern Province (NP) has the lowest, with 5.3% of the total population. When considering the population distribution at the district level, the Gampaha District has reported the highest population, with 2,433,685 persons. The Colombo District follows with a population of 2,374,461. Together, only these two districts have a population of over two million, the census report indicated. Apart from the Gampaha and Colombo Districts, the highest population is reported from the Kurunegala (1,760,829), Kandy (1,461,269), Kalutara (1,305,552), Ratnapura (1,145,138), and Galle (1,096,585) Districts, respectively, with each of these districts reporting a population of more than one million. As in the previous censuses, the Districts with the lowest population in the country this time are Mullaitivu (122,542), Mannar (123,674), Kilinochchi (136,434) and Vavuniya (172,257) in the NP. 

The highest annual growth rate of 2.23% has been reported from the Mullaitivu District. The lowest annual growth rate is recorded in the Vavuniya District (0.01%). As in previous censuses, the highest population density of 3,549 persons per square kilometre is reported in the Colombo District, while the lowest population density is reported in the Mullaitivu District, which has a population density of 50 persons per square kilometre.

In the meantime, the highest number of persons living outdoors without a place of usual residence, identified as roofless, at 841, was reported from the WP, as per the latest census data. The lowest number of roofless persons, which was 73, has been reported from the Eastern Province. The highest number of roofless persons has been reported in the Colombo District, where 536 persons were recorded. Similarly, no roofless persons were reported from the Kilinochchi District.

Meanwhile, the report of the ‘Census of Population and Housing 2024’ conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, has been officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat.

The information gathered through the census is vital not only to the Government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress.