India vs Sri Lanka
India vs Sri Lanka: Median age
Median age in 2023: 28.1 years in India and 32.8 years in Sri Lanka, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in Sri Lanka, by 4.8 years, or 1.17 times that in India.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- Sri Lanka has been higher since 1965, when it overtook India.
- In 2023, India ranked 142 and Sri Lanka ranked 109 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts India at 47.8 years and Sri Lanka at 50 years in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 30.4 years in 2023.
Every year
years · UN
| Year | India | Sri Lanka | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28.1 | 32.8 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 27.7 | 32.6 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 27.4 | 32.3 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 27 | 32.1 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 26.7 | 31.8 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 26.3 | 31.6 | 29 |
| 2017 | 26 | 31.3 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 25.6 | 31 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 25.3 | 30.7 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 24.9 | 30.4 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 24.6 | 30.1 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 24.3 | 29.8 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 24 | 29.5 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 23.6 | 29.2 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 23.3 | 28.9 | 27 |
| 2008 | 23.1 | 28.6 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 22.8 | 28.3 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 22.5 | 28 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 22.2 | 27.7 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 22 | 27.4 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 21.8 | 27.1 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 21.6 | 26.8 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 21.4 | 26.5 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 21.2 | 26.2 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 21 | 25.9 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 20.8 | 25.5 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 20.7 | 25.1 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 20.5 | 24.7 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 20.3 | 24.3 | 24 |
| 1994 | 20.2 | 23.9 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 20.1 | 23.6 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 19.9 | 23.2 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 19.8 | 22.9 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 19.7 | 22.6 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 19.6 | 22.3 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 19.5 | 22 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 19.4 | 21.7 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 19.3 | 21.4 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 19.3 | 21.1 | 22 |
| 1984 | 19.2 | 20.9 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 19.1 | 20.8 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 19 | 20.7 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 19 | 20.5 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 18.9 | 20.4 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 18.8 | 20.2 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 18.7 | 20.1 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 18.6 | 20 | 21 |
| 1976 | 18.5 | 19.8 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 18.4 | 19.7 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 18.3 | 19.5 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 18.2 | 19.4 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 18.2 | 19.2 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 18.1 | 19.1 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 18.1 | 19 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 18.1 | 18.9 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 18.1 | 18.8 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 18.2 | 18.7 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 18.3 | 18.6 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 18.5 | 18.5 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 18.6 | 18.4 | 21 |
| 1963 | 18.8 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 18.9 | 18.4 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 19.1 | 18.4 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 19.2 | 18.5 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 19.4 | 18.6 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 19.4 | 18.7 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 19.5 | 18.8 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 19.6 | 19 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 19.7 | 19.1 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 19.8 | 19.2 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 19.9 | 19.4 | 22 |
| 1952 | 19.9 | 19.5 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 20 | 19.7 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 20 | 19.9 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | India | Sri Lanka | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28.428.4–28.5 | 33.133–33.2 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 28.828.7–29 | 33.333–33.7 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 29.229–29.5 | 33.633.1–34.2 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 29.629.3–29.9 | 33.933.1–34.8 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 3029.6–30.4 | 34.233.2–35.3 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 30.429.8–30.9 | 34.533.3–35.8 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 30.830.1–31.4 | 34.833.3–36.4 | 32 |
| 2031 | 31.230.4–32 | 35.133.4–36.9 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 31.530.7–32.5 | 35.333.4–37.4 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 31.931–33 | 35.633.5–37.9 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 32.331.3–33.5 | 35.933.6–38.4 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 32.731.6–34 | 36.133.7–38.9 | 33 |
| 2036 | 33.131.9–34.5 | 36.433.7–39.4 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 33.532.2–35 | 36.633.9–39.9 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 33.932.4–35.5 | 36.834–40.4 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 34.332.7–36 | 37.134.2–40.8 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 34.733–36.5 | 37.334.3–41.3 | 34 |
| 2041 | 35.133.2–37 | 37.634.5–41.7 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 35.433.5–37.5 | 37.934.7–42.2 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 35.833.8–38 | 38.134.9–42.6 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 36.234–38.4 | 38.435.1–43 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 36.534.3–38.9 | 38.735.2–43.4 | 35 |
| 2046 | 36.934.5–39.3 | 3935.4–43.7 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 37.234.8–39.8 | 39.335.6–44.1 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 37.635–40.2 | 39.635.8–44.5 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 37.935.3–40.6 | 39.936.1–44.9 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 38.335.5–41 | 40.236.3–45.2 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 38.635.7–41.5 | 40.536.4–45.6 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 38.935.9–41.9 | 40.736.6–46 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 39.336.1–42.3 | 4136.8–46.4 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 39.636.2–42.8 | 41.336.9–46.7 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 39.936.4–43.2 | 41.637.1–47.1 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 40.236.5–43.6 | 41.937.2–47.5 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 40.536.6–44 | 42.237.4–47.9 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 40.836.7–44.4 | 42.437.5–48.3 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 4136.8–44.8 | 42.737.7–48.7 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 41.336.9–45.2 | 42.937.8–49.1 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 41.636.9–45.6 | 43.237.9–49.5 | 38 |
| 2062 | 41.837–46 | 43.438.1–49.8 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 42.137.2–46.4 | 43.638.2–50.2 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 42.337.4–46.8 | 43.838.3–50.6 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 42.537.6–47.1 | 44.138.4–51 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 42.737.8–47.5 | 44.338.6–51.4 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 4338–47.9 | 44.538.7–51.8 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 43.238.2–48.3 | 44.738.9–52.2 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 43.438.4–48.6 | 44.939–52.6 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 43.638.6–49 | 4539.2–52.9 | 39 |
| 2071 | 43.838.8–49.3 | 45.239.3–53.3 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 4438.9–49.6 | 45.439.4–53.6 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 44.239.1–50 | 45.639.5–54 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 44.439.3–50.3 | 45.739.7–54.3 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 44.639.5–50.6 | 45.939.8–54.7 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 44.839.6–50.9 | 46.139.9–55 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 44.939.8–51.1 | 46.240.1–55.3 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 45.139.9–51.3 | 46.440.2–55.6 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 45.340.1–51.4 | 46.640.3–55.9 | 40 |
| 2080 | 45.540.2–51.6 | 46.840.4–56.2 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 45.640.3–51.7 | 46.940.5–56.5 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 45.840.4–51.8 | 47.140.7–56.8 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 45.940.5–51.8 | 47.340.8–57 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 46.140.6–51.9 | 47.540.9–57.2 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 46.240.7–51.9 | 47.741.1–57.5 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 46.440.7–52 | 47.941.2–57.7 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 46.540.7–52 | 4841.3–57.9 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 46.640.8–52 | 48.241.4–57.9 | 41 |
| 2089 | 46.840.8–52.1 | 48.441.5–58 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 46.940.8–52.2 | 48.641.7–58.2 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 4740.8–52.3 | 48.741.8–58.4 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 47.140.9–52.4 | 48.942–58.6 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 47.240.9–52.5 | 4942.1–58.8 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 47.340.9–52.6 | 49.242.3–59 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 47.441–52.7 | 49.342.4–59.2 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 47.441–52.8 | 49.542.5–59.4 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 47.541.1–52.9 | 49.642.6–59.5 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 47.641.1–53.1 | 49.742.7–59.7 | 42 |
| 2099 | 47.741.2–53.3 | 49.842.9–59.8 | 42 |
| 2100 | 47.841.2–53.5 | 5043–59.9 | 42.1 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- Half the people are older than this age and half are younger.
- Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024.
- The dashed line is the UN projection (medium variant), a scenario rather than a forecast; the band is its 95% prediction interval.
- Ranks count the 229 countries with a value in 2023, highest first.
- The faint line is the world as a whole, as the same source counts it.
How the layers work, where their data comes from and what they can’t tell you: Countries through time
India vs Sri Lanka
Health
- Life expectancyIndia: 72 years in 2023Sri Lanka: 77.5 years in 2023
- Child mortalityIndia: 2.7 per 100 live births in 2024Sri Lanka: 0.6 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityIndia: 22.6 per 1,000 live births in 2023Sri Lanka: 5.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionIndia: 3.53% in 2017Sri Lanka: 3.44% in 2017
- Suicide rateIndia: 15.6 per 100,000 people in 2017Sri Lanka: 19.8 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationIndia: 1.44 billion people in 2023Sri Lanka: 23 million people in 2023
- Population growthIndia: 0.89% a year in 2023Sri Lanka: 0.58% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateIndia: 1.98 births per woman in 2023Sri Lanka: 1.97 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationIndia: 35.7% in 2025Sri Lanka: 20.5% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overIndia: 6.9% in 2023Sri Lanka: 11.7% in 2023
- Net migration rateIndia: -0.7 per 1,000 people in 2023Sri Lanka: -1.2 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingIndia: 2.3% of GDP in 2025Sri Lanka: 1.31% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsIndia: $93.3B in 2025Sri Lanka: $1.36B in 2025
- Military spending per personIndia: $63 in 2025Sri Lanka: $60 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingIndia: 8.2% of government spending in 2025Sri Lanka: 4.9% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelIndia: 3.07 million people in 2020Sri Lanka: 317,000 people in 2020
- National powerIndia: 9.94% of world capability in 2022Sri Lanka: 0.31% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersIndia: 0.58% of the labour force in 2020Sri Lanka: 3.74% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsIndia: 2.86 billion TIV in 2025Sri Lanka: 11 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsIndia: 81 million TIV in 2025Sri Lanka: 8 million TIV in 1998