This publication focuses on several factors which affect the population in Sri Lanka. It addresses the trends in mortality, fertility, life expectancy and international migration and projects the trends throughout 2001-2081 periods. It shows that as a result of changes in fertility, mortality and migration components, the Sri Lankan population has changed significantly. It shows that the population has grown almost eight times since the first national census of 1871, which recorded only 2.4 million people. The population size has increased from 14.8 million in 1981 to 18.7 million in 2001. The doubling of the population took place in 54 years between 1871 and 1925 and it doubled again in 35 years between 1925 and 1960. According to the standard projection, the population would reach 20.1 million by 2011, and could attain its peak by 2031 with a size of 21.1 million. A near-zero population growth rate would be attained during 2021 to 2036 where the total size of the population could be around 21 million. However, beyond 2040s, primarily due to significantly low level of fertility, the total size of the Sri Lankan population would decline. Taking 18.7 million as the population size in 2001, it is expected that an addition of 2.4 million in the next three decades could create number of demographic, social, economical, environmental and cultural threats to Sri Lankan society. Alongside an increase in the total size, the Sri Lankan population will undergo major changes in its age-sex structure and distribution in the coming decades. The reversal of the gender balance favouring females is an important feature in the new millennium. Sri Lankan policy planners will have to confront many issues that are expected to emerge in the near future, from being one of the few developing countries to reach well below replacement fertility, and cope with the resulting ageing of the population.

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