Sri Lanka has recorded a notable increase in higher educational attainment over the past decade, including a rise in the number of PhD holders, according to the Census of Population and Housing 2024 covering those aged 25 and above.
Key highlights from the report show a steady shift towards advanced education:
- The number of PhD holders increased from 6,557 in 2012 to 11,757 in 2024, though they still account for just 0.1% of the population.
- Degree holders more than doubled, rising from 358,052 (3.0%) to 780,958 (5.6%).
- Those with tertiary education grew significantly from 2,195,117 (18.2%) to 3,635,462 (26.2%).
- Individuals with G.C.E. A/L or equivalent qualifications increased from 1,724,574 (14.2%) to 2,677,022 (19.4%).
- The number of people with secondary education rose from 7,079,569 to 8,096,402, remaining steady at around 58% of the population.
- Those with only primary education declined from 2,214,792 (18.4%) to 1,738,942 (12.5%).
- The number of individuals with no schooling fell from 561,163 (4.7%) to 400,511 (2.9%).
The data reflects a broader national trend towards improved access to education and higher qualification levels across the population.