Demographic transition in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Demographic factors and their transition are important to make effective decisions regarding the public health of a country. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the transition of the demographic factors in Sri Lanka over the past 3 decades and especially in census years. We considered the data from 1990 to 2019, and the census year 1981. Bar charts, stacked bar charts, line graphs, population pyramids, maps, and radar graphs were used to visualize these data. According to the results, the total population in Sri Lanka has increased up to 2018. The working-age population and the old-age dependency ratios have also risen in Sri Lanka. Colombo, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Kandy, and Kaluthara were observed as the districts with the highest population in 1981, 2001, 2012, and 2019. Sinhalese and Buddhists have the maximum population, and it was noticed that the birth and the annual population growth rates have decreased while the death rate has increased. Adult female, adult male, under 5, and infant mortality rates have also decreased but the infant mortality rate is very low, and the adult male mortality rate is very high. A life expectancy year at the birth of a male is always lower than that of a female. Furthermore, the survival to age 65 of the female is greater than that of males. Finally, the fertility rate fluctuates over 3 decades in Sri Lanka. It can be concluded that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a demographic bonus and immediate actions should be taken to use this window opportunity effectively.