Sri Lanka’s population aged 60 and above is projected to exceed 24 percent of the total by 2041, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Panilage told Parliament on Tuesday.
According to the Department of Census and Statistics’ 2024 population report, about 3.9 million people are aged 60 or over. That is 18.2 percent of the population, up from around 6 percent in 1981, the Minister said.
The shift means more households will need support for older relatives, and more demand for pensions, health care and social security services.
Panilage said the government has identified the challenges of an ageing population and is taking steps to protect the rights of senior citizens and provide them with assistance. It is also preparing new legislation on the rights of elders.
