Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Sri Lanka has a South Asian economy supported by services, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and trade. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+5.0%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#28
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.0 pp
2025: +5.0%
Asia Rank
#11
Out of 49 countries
1. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Sri Lankan economic growth is influenced by tourism, household demand, exports, investment, and financial stability. Debt restructuring, inflation, and foreign exchange availability remain particularly important.
2. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Sri Lanka’s growth history has included periods of expansion, conflict-related disruption, tourism growth, and severe financial crisis. External financing conditions have played a major role.
3. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +5.0% | +0.0 pp |
| 2025 | +5.0% | +0.0 pp |
| 2024 | +5.0% | +7.0 pp |
| 2023 | -2.0% | +5.3 pp |
| 2022 | -7.4% | -11.6 pp |
| 2021 | +4.2% | +8.8 pp |
| 2020 | -4.6% | -4.4 pp |
| 2019 | -0.2% | -2.5 pp |
| 2018 | +2.3% | -4.2 pp |
| 2017 | +6.5% | +1.4 pp |
| 2016 | +5.1% | +0.8 pp |
| 2015 | +4.2% | -2.2 pp |
| 2014 | +6.4% | +2.3 pp |
| 2013 | +4.1% | -4.6 pp |
| 2012 | +8.6% | 0.0 pp |
| 2011 | +8.7% | +0.7 pp |
| 2010 | +8.0% | +4.5 pp |
| 2009 | +3.5% | -2.4 pp |
| 2008 | +6.0% | -0.9 pp |
| 2007 | +6.8% | -0.9 pp |
| 2006 | +7.7% | +1.4 pp |
| 2005 | +6.2% | +0.8 pp |
| 2004 | +5.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 2003 | +5.9% | +2.0 pp |
| 2002 | +4.0% | +5.5 pp |
| 2001 | -1.6% | -7.6 pp |
| 2000 | +6.0% | +1.7 pp |
| 1999 | +4.3% | -0.4 pp |
| 1998 | +4.7% | -1.7 pp |
| 1997 | +6.4% | +2.6 pp |
| 1996 | +3.8% | -1.7 pp |
| 1995 | +5.5% | -0.1 pp |
| 1994 | +5.6% | -1.3 pp |
| 1993 | +6.9% | +2.5 pp |
| 1992 | +4.4% | -0.2 pp |
| 1991 | +4.6% | -1.8 pp |
| 1990 | +6.4% | +4.1 pp |
| 1989 | +2.3% | -0.2 pp |
| 1988 | +2.5% | +0.7 pp |
| 1987 | +1.7% | -2.6 pp |
| 1986 | +4.4% | -0.6 pp |
| 1985 | +5.0% | -0.1 pp |
| 1984 | +5.1% | +0.3 pp |
| 1983 | +4.8% | +0.7 pp |
| 1982 | +4.1% | -1.6 pp |
| 1981 | +5.7% | -0.1 pp |
| 1980 | +5.9% | — |
4. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+5.0%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+1.1%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+1.4%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.8%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy is recovering as inflation eases, tourism improves, and financial stability gradually returns. Debt restructuring and reforms remain central to restoring investor confidence.
5. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Sri Lanka
+5.0%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.5%
5.0%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Sri Lanka’s GDP growth rate is approximately
2.7 pp
above the
Asia average
and
2.2 pp
above the world average.
6. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #7 | Georgia | +5.3% |
| #8 | Armenia | +5.3% |
| #9 | Mongolia | +5.3% |
| #10 | Taiwan | +5.2% |
| #11 | Sri Lanka | +5.0% |
| #12 | Indonesia | +5.0% |
| #13 | Malaysia | +4.7% |
| #14 | Bangladesh | +4.7% |
| #15 | Kazakhstan | +4.6% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka GDP (Nominal)
$99.0 Billion
(2026)
Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate
+5.0%
(2026)
Sri Lanka’s recent growth has been more volatile than many South Asian peers because of its financial crisis. A sustained recovery could gradually narrow that gap.
Explore more:
Sri Lanka GDP
9. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on reforms, tourism, investment, exports, and debt stabilization. Political uncertainty and external financing remain important risks.
Forecast data is currently unavailable for
Sri Lanka.
10. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Sri Lanka GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.0% in 2026.
It ranks #28 globally and #11 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.0 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +1.1%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +1.4%.
The current rate is 2.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 2.2 percentage points above the world average.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Sri Lanka GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Sri Lanka GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.0% in 2026.
Sri Lanka ranks #28 globally and #11 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +5.0% in 2026.
Sri Lanka GDP growth rate was +4.2% in 2015.
Sri Lanka GDP growth rate is 2.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.