Colombo, April 11 Sri Lanka is aging rapidly, with its elderly population nearly tripling to 18 percent over the last four decades, according to the latest census data.
According to the 2024 census report released this week by the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka's total population stands at 21,781,800, with a national density of 350 persons per square kilometer.
"The elderly population grew from 6.6 percent in 1981 to 18 percent by 2024," the report said.
In 1981, the total elderly population in the island nation was less than a million, which rose to 3,921,124 by 2024.
The report said the 2024 data "highlight a significant transition toward an aging society".
The elderly population (60 years and over) now constitutes 18 percent of the total population, while the child population (0-14 years) has contracted to 20.7 percent, it said.
"This shift is further evidenced by an Aging Index of 87, indicating that there are 87 elderly persons for every 100 children. Furthermore, the Median Age (35 years) has increased by approximately five years compared to previous census conducted in 2012, reflecting a maturing population structure," the report said.
In a related trend, the island nation's total fertility rate (TFR) also declined from 3.3 percent in 1981 to 1.8 percent in 2024, the data revealed, underscoring a significant transition towards an ageing society.
The Western province remains the country's primary demographic hub, accounting for 28.1 percent of the total population, it added.
The census also showed that "females outnumber males", with the national sex ratio at 93.3 males per 100 females.
On the ethnic composition, Sinhalese form 74.1 percent of the population, followed by Tamils at 12.3 percent and Muslims at 10.5 percent.
Buddhism is the predominant religion with 69.8 percent, followed by Hinduism at 12.6 percent, Islam at 10.5 percent, Roman Catholicism at 5.6 percent, and others at 1.5 percent, the report said.