Sri Lanka—Population in Largest City
Category: Urban DevelopmentSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #137 of 153Updated April 2026
Latest Value
647,557
2025
YoY Change
+1.2%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#137
of 153 countries
Maximum
647,557
2025
Minimum
562,985
2012
CAGR
+0.0%
26 years
Last
647,557
Previous
639,818
Highest
647,557
Lowest
562,985
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Sri Lanka's population in largest city was 647,557 in 2025, ranking #137 out of 153 countries. This represents a +1.2% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 647,557 (2025) and the lowest was 562,985 (2012). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 647,557 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 639,818 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 632,543 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 625,637 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 619,001 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 612,535 | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 606,158 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 599,821 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 593,517 | +1.1% |
| 2016 | 587,279 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 581,107 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 575,000 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 568,957 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 562,985 | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 566,723 | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 574,323 | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 582,025 | -1.3% |
| 2008 | 589,820 | -1.3% |
| 2007 | 597,740 | -1.3% |
| 2006 | 605,756 | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 613,880 | -1.3% |
| 2004 | 622,101 | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 630,455 | -1.3% |
| 2002 | 638,910 | -1.2% |
| 2001 | 646,966 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 643,911 |
Top Countries — Population in Largest City
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 37.0M | 2025 |
| 2 | India | 34.7M | 2025 |
| 3 | China | 30.5M | 2025 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 24.7M | 2025 |
| 5 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 23.1M | 2025 |
| 6 | Brazil | 23.0M | 2025 |
| 7 | Mexico | 22.8M | 2025 |
| 8 | United States | 19.2M | 2025 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 18.1M | 2025 |
| 10 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 17.8M | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.
Methodology
Data compiled by World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, publisher: UN Population Division, date published: 2018.