Sri Lanka—Urban Population (%)
Category: PeopleSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #212 of 217Updated August 2026
Latest Value
20.3%
2024
YoY Change
+0.8%
2023 → 2024
Global Rank
#212
of 217 countries
Maximum
20.3%
2024
Minimum
14.6%
2001
CAGR
+1.4%
25 years
Last
20.3%
Previous
20.1%
Highest
20.3%
Lowest
14.6%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Sri Lanka's urban population (%) was 20.3% in 2024, ranking #212 out of 217 countries. This represents a +0.8% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 20.3% (2024) and the lowest was 14.6% (2001). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20.3% | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 20.1% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 20.0% | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 19.8% | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 19.7% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 19.5% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 19.3% | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 19.2% | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 19.0% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 18.8% | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 18.6% | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 18.4% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 18.3% | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 17.8% | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 17.2% | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 16.7% | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 16.3% | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 15.9% | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 15.5% | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 15.2% | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 14.9% | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 14.7% | +0.8% |
| 2002 | 14.6% | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 14.6% | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 14.6% |
Top Countries — Urban Population (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bermuda | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 2 | Macao SAR, China | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Monaco | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Cayman Islands | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 5 | Singapore | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 6 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 7 | Kuwait | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 8 | Bahrain | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 9 | St. Martin (French part) | 100.0% | 2025 |
| 10 | Gibraltar | 100.0% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.
Methodology
Data compiled by World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, note: United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects, National definitions, publisher: UN Population Division.