Sri Lanka has recorded a significant drop in marriages, live births, and overall population growth, according to newly released data from the Department of Population and Statistics.
In 2024, 139,290 marriages were registered, marking a 5.54% decrease from the 151,356 marriages recorded in 2023. The trend continues a decline seen since the pandemic and economic crisis period when 171,140 marriages were registered in 2022.
According to the census of population and housing in 2024 the total population was recorded as 21,763,170.
The decline extends to birth rates as well. The country recorded 220,761 live births in 2024 — a steep fall compared to 301,706 births documented in 2020 and 247,900 births in 2023. Officials report that from July 2023 to June 2024, a total of 228,091 births were registered, showing a continuous downward pattern over recent years.
Death rates also rose, with 220,761 deaths reported in 2024 compared to 181,239 deaths in 2023 and 179,792 deaths in 2022 — narrowing the gap between births and deaths and increasing demographic pressures.
Population experts warn that the sustained drop in marriages and births signals long-term challenges for Sri Lanka’s labour market, aging population, and economic resilience.
Migration is also playing a major role in the demographic shift. Data from the Department of Immigration and Emigration shows negative net migration in most recent years, including - 222,715 between July 2022 and June 2023 and - 176,932 between July 2023 and June 2024 — meaning more people are leaving the country than arriving.
As a result, Sri Lanka’s mid-year population in 2024 declined by 120,555 compared to the previous year — driven by lower birth numbers and an increase in outward migration.
Mid-year population estimates are calculated annually based on registered births, deaths, and migration figures, and reflect the growing demographic concerns Sri Lanka must now confront.
(Source - Dailymirror)
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