Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Literate and illiterate world population was 7.26 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka, 1901–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka is 7.26, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 21 years on record.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka peaked at 73.6 in 1901 and was at its lowest, 7.26, in 2024.
Sri Lanka ranks 61st of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 73.6 | — |
| 1911 | 69 | -6.2% |
| 1921 | 60.1 | -12.9% |
| 1946 | 42.2 | -29.8% |
| 1950 | 37.5 | -11.1% |
| 1981 | 13.22 | -64.7% |
| 2001 | 9.32 | -29.5% |
| 2006 | 9.19 | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 9.44 | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 8.82 | -6.6% |
| 2014 | 7.47 | -15.4% |
| 2015 | 7.45 | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 7.61 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 8.1 | +6.4% |
| 2018 | 8.29 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 7.75 | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 7.62 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 7.57 | -0.7% |
| 2022 | 7.51 | -0.8% |
| 2023 | 7.34 | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 7.26 | -1.1% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 7.26 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.55, 1.6× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 7.26 is below the median for South Asia, which is 21.42, 34% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | -64.7% | 37.5 | 13.22 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 73.6 | 73.6 | 73.6 | 1 |
| 1910s | 69 | 69 | 69 | 1 |
| 1920s | 60.1 | 60.1 | 60.1 | 1 |
| 1940s | 42.2 | 42.2 | 42.2 | 1 |
| 1950s | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 1 |
| 1980s | 13.22 | 13.22 | 13.22 | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.32 | 9.19 | 9.44 | 3 |
| 2010s | 7.93 | 7.45 | 8.82 | 7 |
| 2020s | 7.46 | 7.26 | 7.62 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More population data for Sri Lanka
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.5555 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.0083 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.5555 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 21,815 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1332 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.558 (2100)
- Population density 343.51 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 901,396 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka was 7.26 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 73.6 in 1901.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.26 in 2024.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Sri Lanka ranks 61st out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Literate and illiterate world population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).