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Sri Lanka: Population density (people per sq. km of land area)

In , Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) was 356.24.

That's down 0.6% from 2022, the highest value since .

The global average for this indicator in 2023 was 453.71 . Sri Lanka ranks #31 globally out of 215 reporting countries. Within South Asia, it ranks #4 of 6.

Source: World Bank Open Data (EN.POP.DNST) • Data as of 2023

Trend (2004–2023)

Sri Lanka Population density (people per sq. km of land area) trend

Highlights

Peak
358.57
Trough
320.33
1-year change
-0.6%
5-year change
+1.7%
+0.3% / yr
10-year change
+8.5%
+0.8% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year Population density (people per sq. km of land area)
356.2399
358.5677
358.1636
354.3324
352.4317
350.2845
346.6143
342.6720
338.8105
331.3347

About Population density (people per sq. km of land area)

Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.

Indicator code: EN.POP.DNSTCategory: Environment

Frequently asked questions

What was Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in 2023?
In 2023, Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) was 356.24, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) rising or falling?
Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) fell 0.6% from 2022 to 2023.
How does Sri Lanka rank globally on Population density (people per sq. km of land area)?
In 2023, Sri Lanka ranked #31 out of 215 countries reporting Population density (people per sq. km of land area).
How does Sri Lanka's Population density (people per sq. km of land area) compare to the world average?
The global average for Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in 2023 was 453.71, so Sri Lanka is below the world average. Within South Asia, it ranks #4 of 6.
What is Population density (people per sq. km of land area) and how is it measured?
Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.
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Source: World Bank Open Data (EN.POP.DNST), CC BY 4.0.