Sri Lanka - Economy
How is the economy of Sri Lanka? Based on the information we have, Sri Lanka has a economic contraction in 2022-23 marked by increased poverty and significant inflation; IMF two-year debt relief program following 2022 sovereign default; structural challenges from non-diversified economy and rigid labor laws; heavy dependence on tourism receipts and remittances. Key agricultural products in this country include: rice, coconuts, plantains, tea, sugarcane, milk, cassava, fiber crops, maize, chicken (2022).
More about the economy of Sri Lanka
Labor force 8.707 million (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate -9.23% (2023 est.)
Industries processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; tourism; clothing and textiles; mining
Population below poverty line 14.3% (2019 est.)
Taxes and other revenues 7.28% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Fiscal year
Exchange rates
Currency Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2021 198.764 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020 185.593 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2019 178.745 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2018 162.465 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates 2017 152.446 (2017 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2022 $37.487 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021 $3.137 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020 $5.664 billion (2020 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019 $7.648 billion (2019 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023 $1.559 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022 -$1.448 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021 -$3.284 billion (2021 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017 79.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
Budget
Revenues $7.365 billion (2021 est.)
Expenditures $15.477 billion (2021 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
Remittances
Remittances 2023 6.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022 5.15% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021 6.23% of GDP (2021 est.)
Household income
Lowest 10% 3.1% (2019 est.)
Highest 10% 30.8% (2019 est.)
Average household expenditures
On food 26.8% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco 3.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2023 $18.823 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $19.244 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $21.526 billion (2021 est.)
Imports (partners) India 34%, China 19%, UAE 5%, Malaysia 4%, Singapore 4% (2022)
Comodities Imports force refined petroleum, fabric, ships, cotton fabric, synthetic fabric (2022)
Exports
Imports 2023 $18.823 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $19.244 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $21.526 billion (2021 est.)
Exports (partners) US 24%, India 8%, UK 7%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (2022)
Comodities Exports force garments, tea, used rubber tires, rubber products, precious stones (2022)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023 $287.132 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022 $293.885 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021 $317.188 billion (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) $84.357 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023 $13,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022 $13,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021 $14,300 (2021 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
Agriculture 8.3% (2023 est.)
Industry 25.6% (2023 est.)
Services 59.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
Household consumption 69.3% (2023 est.)
Government consumption 6.9% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital 17.6% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories 7.7% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services 20.4% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services -21.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023 6.36% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022 6.33% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2021 5.26% (2021 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
Total 25.3% (2023 est.)
Male 20.9% (2023 est.)
Female 33.9% (2023 est.)
All Important Facts about Sri Lanka

Want to know more about Sri Lanka? Check all different factbooks for Sri Lanka below.

Sri Lanka is found in Southern Asia