Decline in Birth Rates and Rise in Deaths Impact Sri Lanka’s Population Growth

Sri Lanka has witnessed a notable decrease in annual birth rates alongside an increase in death rates since 2020, according to Lakshika Ganepola, the Senior Deputy Registrar General. During a recent television appearance, Ganepola revealed that the number of births, which stood at approximately 325,000 per year before 2020, has decreased to about 280,000 in 2023.

Concurrently, the annual death rate has risen from around 140,000 to 180,000 during the same period. This demographic shift is expected to have significant implications for the nation’s population growth moving forward, warned Ganepola. The reasons behind these changes were not detailed, but the trend poses potential challenges for future economic and social planning in Sri Lanka.