Formal Borrowing Statistics in Sri Lanka (2026)
According to World Bank Global Findex data, 18.1% of adults in Sri Lanka borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024. Down from 21.3% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2024 (−3.2 percentage points). Sri Lanka ranks #1 of 4 economies in South Asia on this measure, and #61 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 18.1% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Sri Lanka as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −3.2 pp (2024)
- Down from 21.3% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2024 (−3.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 19.7% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 19.7% in 2014 to 18.1% in 2024.
- Peak value (2021)
- 21.3% (2021)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 18.1%.
- Rank in South Asia
- #1 of 4 (2024)
- Sri Lanka ranks 1 of 4 countries in South Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #61 of 142 (2024)
- Sri Lanka ranks 61 of 142 countries with data globally.
- South Asia average
- 15.4% (2024)
- Sri Lanka (18.1%) is above the average of 15.4% across the 4 countries in South Asia with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 19.3% (2024)
- Value for women in Sri Lanka, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 16.7% (2024)
- Value for men in Sri Lanka, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- +2.6 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 19.3% for women and 16.7% for men — 2.6 percentage points higher among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 13.4% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Sri Lanka in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −4.7 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (13.4%) are 4.7 percentage points below the national figure (18.1%).
- Internet use in Sri Lanka (2024)
- 54.6% (2024)
- 54.6% of the population in Sri Lanka used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 21.9 million (2024)
- Sri Lanka had a population of 21.9 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18.1% | −3.2 pp |
| 2021 | 21.3% | +3.9 pp |
| 2017 | 17.4% | −2.4 pp |
| 2014 | 19.7% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Sri Lanka borrowed from a formal financial institution?
18.1% of adults in Sri Lanka borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has formal borrowing in Sri Lanka changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a decline from 19.7% in 2014 to 18.1% in 2024.
How does Sri Lanka compare with other countries in South Asia?
Sri Lanka ranks 1 of 4 countries in South Asia with data, with 18.1% versus a regional average of 15.4% (latest values per country).
Where does Sri Lanka rank globally on formal borrowing?
Sri Lanka ranks 61 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in formal borrowing in Sri Lanka?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 19.3% for women and 16.7% for men, a gap of 2.6 percentage points in favor of women.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .