Sri Lanka is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with the Department of Registrar General announcing a massive decrease of 80,945 births in 2024 compared to 2020. This alarming trend has prompted serious attention to the changing structure of the country’s population.
Sharp Decline in Birth Rates
According to data from the Department of Registrar General, a continuous decline in birth rates has been observed:
| Year | Recorded Births |
| 2020 | 301,706 |
| 2021 | 284,848 |
| 2022 | 275,321 |
| 2023 | 247,900 |
| 2024 | 220,761 |
The reduction in births from 2020 to 2024 stands at a staggering 80,945. In 2024, Colombo District recorded the highest number of births, while Mullaitivu reported the lowest with only 846 births.
Rising Deaths and Declining Marriages
In addition to the drop in birth rates, the report indicates a significant increase in deaths from 2021 to 2023:
| Year | Recorded Deaths |
| 2020 | 132,371 |
| 2021 | 163,936 |
| 2022 | 179,792 |
| 2023 | 181,239 |
| 2024 | 171,194 |
Furthermore, statistics from the Department of Registrar General reveal a decrease of 12,066 marriages in 2024 compared to 2023.
Experts warn that these changes in population growth and marriage rates will impact Sri Lanka’s workforce, healthcare sector, and economy in the coming years.
