Adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Adoption of communication technologies was 1.58 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka is 1.58 million, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 7.3% on the previous year and down 41.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka peaked at 3.61 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 22,772, in 1960.
That places Sri Lanka 54th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 22,772 | — |
| 1961 | 22,772 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 22,772 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 22,772 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 22,772 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 27,700 | +21.6% |
| 1966 | 27,700 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 27,700 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 27,700 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 27,700 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 37,100 | +33.9% |
| 1971 | 37,100 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 37,100 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 37,100 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 37,100 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 42,500 | +14.6% |
| 1976 | 43,550 | +2.5% |
| 1977 | 44,625 | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 45,700 | +2.4% |
| 1979 | 47,400 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 54,200 | +14.3% |
| 1981 | 66,013 | +21.8% |
| 1982 | 70,381 | +6.6% |
| 1983 | 73,500 | +4.4% |
| 1984 | 80,770 | +9.9% |
| 1985 | 87,686 | +8.6% |
| 1986 | 92,065 | +5.0% |
| 1987 | 97,333 | +5.7% |
| 1988 | 103,521 | +6.4% |
| 1989 | 105,483 | +1.9% |
| 1990 | 121,388 | +15.1% |
| 1991 | 125,834 | +3.7% |
| 1992 | 135,504 | +7.7% |
| 1993 | 157,774 | +16.4% |
| 1994 | 180,724 | +14.5% |
| 1995 | 204,350 | +13.1% |
| 1996 | 255,049 | +24.8% |
| 1997 | 341,622 | +33.9% |
| 1998 | 523,529 | +53.2% |
| 1999 | 669,113 | +27.8% |
| 2000 | 767,411 | +14.7% |
| 2001 | 827,195 | +7.8% |
| 2002 | 883,108 | +6.8% |
| 2003 | 939,013 | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 991,239 | +5.6% |
| 2005 | 1.24 million | +25.5% |
| 2006 | 1.88 million | +51.5% |
| 2007 | 2.74 million | +45.5% |
| 2008 | 3.45 million | +25.7% |
| 2009 | 3.44 million | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 3.58 million | +4.1% |
| 2011 | 3.61 million | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 3.45 million | -4.4% |
| 2013 | 2.71 million | -21.5% |
| 2014 | 2.71 million | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 3.29 million | +21.3% |
| 2016 | 2.48 million | -24.6% |
| 2017 | 2.60 million | +5.0% |
| 2018 | 2.47 million | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 2.29 million | -7.4% |
| 2020 | 2.61 million | +13.8% |
| 2021 | 2.87 million | +10.0% |
| 2022 | 2.58 million | -10.0% |
| 2023 | 1.71 million | -33.9% |
| 2024 | 1.58 million | -7.3% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 1.58 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 734,874, 2.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 1.58 million is above the median for South Asia, which is 346,336, 4.6× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +53.2% | 341,622 | 523,529 |
| 2006 | +51.5% | 1.24 million | 1.88 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 25,236 | 22,772 | 27,700 | 10 |
| 1970s | 40,928 | 37,100 | 47,400 | 10 |
| 1980s | 83,095 | 54,200 | 105,483 | 10 |
| 1990s | 271,489 | 121,388 | 669,113 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.72 million | 767,411 | 3.45 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.92 million | 2.29 million | 3.61 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.27 million | 1.58 million | 2.87 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More reference data data for Sri Lanka
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1608 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.316 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.33 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1784 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.33 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.539 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1604 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.15 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.9713 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Sri Lanka was 1.58 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 3.61 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,772 in 1960.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Sri Lanka ranks 54th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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