Sri Lanka

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net emigration of 30,724 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, Sri Lanka has lost a cumulative 2.2 million people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net emigration.

Net migrants

-30,724

Net migration rate

-1.3 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-4,153,667

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

150,724

Top year: 1998

Peak emigration

-225,450

Lowest year: 1984

Recent avg (10 yrs)

-19199

Per year

Sri Lanka loses approximately 30,724 people per year to emigration (1.3 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 150,724 in 1998.

Migration flows in Sri Lanka are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).