Sri Lanka’s elderly population has nearly tripled over the past four decades, marking a significant demographic transformation, according to the latest national census data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
The report shows that citizens aged 60 years and above now make up around 18% of the total population in 2024, a sharp rise from 6.6% recorded in 1981. This steady increase reflects a long-term shift driven by declining fertility rates and improved life expectancy across the country.
In absolute numbers, the elderly population has grown from under one million in 1981 to nearly 3.92 million in 2024, highlighting the scale of demographic ageing in Sri Lanka. Officials say this trend has accelerated in recent decades as family sizes have become smaller and healthcare access has improved, allowing more people to live longer lives.
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At the same time, the country’s total fertility rate has fallen to around 1.8 births per woman, below the replacement level required to maintain a stable population over time. This decline, combined with better healthcare outcomes, has gradually reshaped Sri Lanka’s population structure into an increasingly ageing profile.
The census also points to a declining proportion of younger citizens. Children aged 0–14 now account for about 20.7% of the population, while the working-age population still forms the largest group. However, analysts warn that this segment is expected to shrink in relative terms in the coming years, potentially tightening the labour market.
Experts say the rapid rise in the elderly population will have wide-ranging social and economic implications. Increased demand for healthcare services, elderly care infrastructure, and pension support systems is expected to place additional pressure on government finances. At the same time, a shrinking workforce could challenge long-term economic growth if productivity gains do not keep pace.
Demographers also note that Sri Lanka is now firmly on the path toward becoming an “ageing society,” a transition seen in several East and Southeast Asian countries. The ageing index—measuring the ratio of elderly people to children—has risen sharply, signalling a structural shift in dependency patterns.
Policymakers are being urged to prepare for this demographic transition through reforms in retirement policy, healthcare expansion, and labour force participation strategies. Without timely intervention, experts warn that the country could face mounting social welfare costs alongside slower economic momentum in the decades ahead.
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