Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 8.1 times as many people as Sri Lanka (178 million vs 21.9 million in 2026). Bangladesh is 2.1 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Sri Lanka ($5,002 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in Sri Lanka (77.7 vs 74.9 years).
| Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 21,860,098 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +0.48% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 23.1 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 61,860 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 353/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $109 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $5,002 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 77.7 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 1.95 |
| Urban population | 33% | 20% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) |
| Calling code | +880 | +94 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Sri Lanka 0.26%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 21.9 million in Sri Lanka (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Sri Lanka?
By land area, Bangladesh is larger: 130,170 km² versus 61,860 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $109 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).