Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social was 26.1% in 2016. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2016)
26.1%
Change on year
up 8.7%
World rank
59th
of 127 countries
All-time high
37.0%
in 2013
All-time low
8.4%
in 2012
Years of data
17
2000–2016

Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka, 2000–2016

102030402000200820162000: 11.2 %2001: 12.1 %2002: 12.3 %2003: 11.4 %2004: 15.6 %2005: 16 %2006: 12.3 %2007: 10.9 %2008: 9.7 %2009: 9.1 %2010: 8.7 %2011: 9 %2012: 8.4 %2013: 37 %2014: 34.2 %2015: 24 %2016: 26.1 %

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.

Analysis

Sri Lanka recorded 26.1% for proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in 2016.

That represents a change of up 8.7% on the previous year and up 113.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka peaked at 37.0% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 8.4%, in 2012.

Sri Lanka ranks 59th of 127 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection (%) in Sri Lanka, 2000 to 2016.
Year % Change
2000 11.2%
2001 12.1% +8.3%
2002 12.3% +1.0%
2003 11.4% -7.1%
2004 15.6% +37.2%
2005 16.0% +2.2%
2006 12.3% -23.2%
2007 10.9% -11.4%
2008 9.7% -10.4%
2009 9.1% -6.8%
2010 8.7% -4.2%
2011 9.0% +3.8%
2012 8.4% -7.0%
2013 37.0% +340.8%
2014 34.2% -7.7%
2015 24.0% -29.6%
2016 26.1% +8.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 12.1% 9.1% 16.0% 10
2010s 21.1% 8.4% 37.0% 7

Countries ranked near Sri Lanka

  1. 56 Malta 26.7% compare
  2. 57 Uzbekistan 26.6% compare
  3. 58 China 26.2% compare
  4. 60 Costa Rica 25.8% compare
  5. 61 Armenia 25.2% compare
  6. 62 Kyrgyzstan 25.2% compare

See the full ranking of 131 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Sri Lanka

All data for Sri Lanka →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka?
Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka was 26.1% in 2016, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of total government spending on essential services, social recorded in Sri Lanka?
The highest recorded value was 37.0% in 2013.
What is the lowest proportion of total government spending on essential services, social recorded in Sri Lanka?
The lowest recorded value was 8.4% in 2012.
How does Sri Lanka rank for proportion of total government spending on essential services, social?
Sri Lanka ranks 59th out of 127 countries with data for 2016.
Is proportion of total government spending on essential services, social rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
Over the last ten years it is up 113.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social in Sri Lanka. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-total-government-spending-on-essential-services-social-protection-percent/sri-lanka/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection (%)
Unit
%
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
131 places, 2,404 data points, 2000–2025
Last refreshed