While the country’s population continues to expand, the pace of growth has noticeably slowed. The average annual growth rate has declined from 0.7% during 2001–2012 to 0.5% between 2012 and 2024 reflecting a gradual demographic transition toward slower growth.
According to the newly released data, the Western Province remains the most populous region, accounting for 28.1% of the national population. The Northern Province, on the other hand, has the smallest share at 5.3%.
At the district level, Gampaha tops the list with 2,433,685 residents, closely followed by Colombo with 2,374,461 both exceeding two million people. Other districts with populations surpassing one million include Kurunegala, Kandy, Kalutara, Ratnapura, and Galle.
Meanwhile, the least populated districts Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Vavuniya — are located in the Northern Province. Interestingly, Mullaitivu reported the highest annual population growth rate at 2.23%, while Vavuniya recorded the lowest, at a near-zero 0.01%.
Officials say the census findings provide vital insights for national planning, resource allocation, and development policy in the coming decade.
