17/04/2026
Sri Lanka has recorded a rise in the number of PhD holders, alongside a broader shift towards higher educational attainment over the past decade, according to the latest data on the population aged 25 and above in the Census of Population and Housing 2024.
Here are 7 key figures from the report:
1. PhD holders increased from 6,557 in 2012 to 11,757 in 2024, though still accounting for just 0.1% of the population.
2. The number of people with degrees more than doubled, rising from 358,052 (3.0%) to 780,958 (5.6%).
3. Those with a tertiary education grew significantly from 2,195,117 (18.2%) in 2012 to 3,635,462 (26.2%) in 2024.
4. Individuals with G.C.E. A/L or equivalent rose from 1,724,574 (14.2%) to 2,677,022 (19.4%).
5. The population with secondary education increased from 7,079,569 to 8,096,402, accounting for around 58% in both years.
6. Those with only primary education declined from 2,214,792 (18.4%) to 1,738,942 (12.5%).
7. The number of people with no schooling dropped from 561,163 (4.7%) to 400,511 (2.9%).
