Total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Total dependency ratio was 51.7% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka stood at 51.7%.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka peaked at 86.8% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 48.1%, in 2005.
Sri Lanka ranks 154th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 74 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 84.0% | 82.7% | 86.8% | 10 |
| 1960s | 80.0% | 77.7% | 82.4% | 10 |
| 1970s | 73.2% | 69.6% | 77.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 66.7% | 62.5% | 69.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 55.7% | 50.5% | 61.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 48.5% | 48.1% | 49.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.4% | 48.9% | 51.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 51.7% | 51.6% | 51.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More reference data data for Sri Lanka
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- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0088 °C (2026)
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- Winter temperature anomalies 0.372 °C (2025)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka?
- Total dependency ratio in Sri Lanka was 51.7% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total dependency ratio recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 86.8% in 1950.
- What is the lowest total dependency ratio recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 48.1% in 2005.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for total dependency ratio?
- Sri Lanka ranks 154th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total dependency ratio rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of children (under 15) and people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).