Sri Lanka—Net Migration
Category: PeopleSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #186 of 217Updated April 2026
Latest Value
-30,724
2025
YoY Change
-12.8%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#186
of 217 countries
Maximum
123,894
2000
Minimum
-118,594
2005
Last
-30,724
Previous
-27,245
Highest
123,894
Lowest
-118,594
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Sri Lanka's net migration was -30,724 in 2025, ranking #186 out of 217 countries. This represents a -12.8% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 123,894 (2000) and the lowest was -118,594 (2005). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -30,724 | -12.8% |
| 2024 | -27,245 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | -28,011 | -2.1% |
| 2022 | -27,435 | +7.3% |
| 2021 | -29,586 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | -29,875 | -5.1% |
| 2019 | -28,426 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | -28,607 | -28.1% |
| 2017 | -22,324 | -21.4% |
| 2016 | -18,388 | +38.3% |
| 2015 | -29,797 | +11.5% |
| 2014 | -33,672 | +10.8% |
| 2013 | -37,754 | +10.0% |
| 2012 | -41,955 | +53.8% |
| 2011 | -90,839 | +7.4% |
| 2010 | -98,060 | -20.9% |
| 2009 | -81,130 | +16.5% |
| 2008 | -97,144 | +11.4% |
| 2007 | -109,695 | -2.5% |
| 2006 | -107,045 | +9.7% |
| 2005 | -118,594 | -39.9% |
| 2004 | -84,795 | +21.2% |
| 2003 | -107,573 | -1.8% |
| 2002 | -105,718 | -648.5% |
| 2001 | 19,273 | -84.4% |
| 2000 | 123,894 |
Top Countries — Net Migration
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 1.7M | 2025 |
| 2 | United States | 1.2M | 2025 |
| 3 | Syrian Arab Republic | 421,693 | 2025 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 389,911 | 2025 |
| 5 | Canada | 326,204 | 2025 |
| 6 | Sudan | 291,469 | 2025 |
| 7 | Malaysia | 166,615 | 2025 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | 158,634 | 2025 |
| 9 | South Africa | 146,370 | 2025 |
| 10 | Japan | 140,579 | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.
Methodology
Data compiled by World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.