How Big Is Sri Lanka Compared To India? COMPARE.EDU.VN offers an in-depth comparison, exploring various factors to help you understand the scale and differences between these two South Asian nations. This analysis provides a detailed comparison of size, population, economy, and quality of life, assisting individuals in making informed decisions and satisfying their curiosity about these neighboring countries. Explore insightful comparisons and make informed decisions, unlocking a wealth of knowledge through detailed comparison insights and objective assessments.
1. General Overview: India vs. Sri Lanka
India and Sri Lanka, both located in South Asia, possess unique characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these fundamental differences provides a solid foundation for further comparison.
| Feature | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Region | South Asia | South Asia |
| Area | 3,287,259 km² | 65,610 km² |
| Official Language | Hindi, English (national), + state languages | Sinhala, Tamil |
| Government | Federal Parliamentary Republic | Presidential Republic |
| Capital | New Delhi | Colombo |
India’s vast landmass dwarfs that of Sri Lanka, making it significantly larger. While both countries share a South Asian identity, their governance structures differ, with India operating as a federal parliamentary republic and Sri Lanka as a presidential republic.
2. Area Comparison: Understanding the Size Difference
A visual representation and detailed breakdown helps to grasp the sheer difference in landmass between India and Sri Lanka.
2.1. Square Kilometer Comparison
India spans 3,287,259 square kilometers, whereas Sri Lanka covers 65,610 square kilometers.
2.2. Size Ratio
India is approximately 50 times larger than Sri Lanka in terms of land area. This vast difference influences various aspects, from population distribution to resource availability.
2.3. Visualizing the Difference
Imagine Sri Lanka superimposed onto a map of India. It would be a small island in comparison to the extensive mainland. This scale difference is crucial when analyzing other factors.
3. Population Dynamics: A Tale of Two Nations
Population is a critical factor in understanding the dynamics of a country. Here’s a detailed look at the population figures and related statistics for India and Sri Lanka.
3.1. Population Numbers
India boasts a population of 1,438,070,000, while Sri Lanka has a population of 22,037,000.
3.2. Population Density
India has a population density of 437.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, whereas Sri Lanka has 335.9 inhabitants per square kilometer.
3.3. Life Expectancy
| Gender | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 66 years | 73 years |
| Female | 69 years | 80 years |
3.4. Age and Demographics
The average age in India is 29.8 years, while in Sri Lanka, it is 34.1 years. This indicates a slightly younger population in India compared to Sri Lanka.
3.5. Birth and Death Rates
India has a birth rate of 16.27 ‰, and a death rate of 9.07 ‰. Sri Lanka’s birth rate is 13.78 ‰, and the death rate is 7.29 ‰.
3.6. Migration Rates
Both countries experience negative migration rates, with India at -0.68 ‰ and Sri Lanka at -1.27 ‰.
4. Quality of Life: Assessing Well-being
Quality of life indices provide insights into the overall well-being of citizens. Here’s a comparison based on several key indicators.
4.1. Key Indicators
| Indicator | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Political Stability | 59 | 41 |
| Civil Rights | 46 | 38 |
| Health | 34 | 60 |
| Climate | 58 | 58 |
| Cost of Living | 46 | 47 |
| Popularity | 35 | 14 |
4.2. Analysis
Sri Lanka generally scores higher in health, indicating better healthcare services. Both countries have similar climates, but India scores slightly higher in political stability.
4.3. Factors Influencing Quality of Life
Access to healthcare, political stability, and civil rights significantly influence the quality of life. Sri Lanka’s higher score in health contributes to its higher overall quality of life index.
5. Economic Landscape: A Comparative Analysis
Comparing the economic indicators of India and Sri Lanka reveals their economic strengths and challenges.
5.1. Currency
India uses the Indian Rupee (INR), while Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).
5.2. Unemployment Rate
India has an unemployment rate of 4.2 %, while Sri Lanka’s is 6.0 %.
5.3. Inflation Rate
India’s inflation rate is 4.40 %, significantly lower than Sri Lanka’s 16.54 %.
5.4. Cost of Living
The cost of living in India is 23.63 % compared to the USA, while in Sri Lanka, it is 27.47 %.
5.5. Average Income
The average income in India is $2,540 USD, while in Sri Lanka, it is $3,540 USD.
5.6. Government Debt
India’s central government debt is 56.05 % of GDP, while Sri Lanka’s is 115.94 %.
5.7. Corruption Index
Both countries have high corruption indices, with India at 62 and Sri Lanka at 68, indicating significant challenges in governance.
6. GDP and Trade: Economic Output and Exchange
Examining GDP and trade figures provides insights into the economic scale and international trade activities of both nations.
6.1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $3,567,552 M USD | $84,357 M USD |
| Per 1000 Inhabitants | $2.48 M USD | $3.83 M USD |
6.2. Gross National Product (GNP)
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $3,649,300 M USD | $77,923 M USD |
| Per 1000 Inhabitants | $2.54 M USD | $3.54 M USD |
6.3. Exported Goods
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $773,177 M USD | $17,327 M USD |
| Per 1000 Inhabitants | $0.54 M USD | $0.79 M USD |
6.4. Imported Goods
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $859,507 M USD | $18,823 M USD |
| Per 1000 Inhabitants | $0.60 M USD | $0.85 M USD |
6.5. Analysis
India’s total GDP and trade volumes are significantly larger due to its massive population and economy. However, when measured per 1000 inhabitants, Sri Lanka shows a higher GDP and trade volume, indicating a more efficient economy relative to its population.
7. Infrastructure: Building the Foundation
Infrastructure plays a vital role in a country’s development. Here’s a comparison of key infrastructural elements in India and Sri Lanka.
7.1. Roadways
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 6,700,000 km | 114,093 km |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 4.66 km | 5.18 km |
7.2. Railways
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 68,988 km | 1,562 km |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 0.05 km | 0.07 km |
7.3. Waterways
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 20,275 km | 160 km |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 0.01 km | 0.01 km |
7.4. Passenger Airports
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 113 | 7 |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 0.0001 | 0.0003 |
7.5. Analysis
India has a significantly larger network of roadways and railways due to its size. However, Sri Lanka has a higher density of roadways and passenger airports per 1000 inhabitants, indicating better accessibility.
8. Energy Balance: Production and Consumption
Energy production and consumption are critical indicators of a country’s industrial capacity and sustainability.
8.1. Production Capacity
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 4,269,685.3 GWh | 44,150.4 GWh |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 2,969.04 MWh | 2,003.47 MWh |
8.2. Energy Consumption
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,463,000.0 GWh | 10,401.0 GWh |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 1,017.34 MWh | 471.98 MWh |
8.3. Energy Production
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,760,405.0 GWh | 12,021.0 GWh |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 1,224.14 MWh | 545.49 MWh |
8.4. CO2 Emissions
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 4.13 bn t | 38.40 m t |
| Per 1000 Inh. | 2,874.38 t | 1,742.70 t |
8.5. Analysis
India has a much larger energy production capacity and consumption due to its industrial activities and population size. However, Sri Lanka has lower CO2 emissions per capita, indicating a more sustainable energy policy.
9. Telecommunications: Connectivity and Communication
Telecommunications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social development.
9.1. International Dialing Code
India’s international dialing code is +91, while Sri Lanka’s is +94.
9.2. Internet Domain
India’s internet domain is .in, and Sri Lanka’s is .lk.
9.3. Key Telecommunication Statistics
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Landlines (Total) | 27,454,800 | 1,706,640 |
| Landlines (Per 1000 Inh.) | 19 | 77 |
| Mobile Cellulars (Total) | 1,140,000,000 | 30,000,000 |
| Mobile Cellulars (Per 1000 Inh.) | 793 | 1361 |
| Internet Users (Total) | 665,970,030 | 11,042,013 |
| Internet Users (Per 1000 Inh.) | 463 | 501 |
| Broadband Internet (Total) | 39,300,000 | 2,010,000 |
| Broadband Internet (Per 1000 Inh.) | 27 | 91 |
9.4. Analysis
While India has a larger number of internet users and mobile cellular subscriptions overall, Sri Lanka has a higher penetration rate per 1000 inhabitants, especially in mobile cellular and broadband internet usage.
10. Healthcare System: Access and Quality
Healthcare systems reflect a nation’s commitment to public health and well-being.
10.1. Key Healthcare Indicators
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Beds per 1000 Inh. | 1.60 | 4.02 |
| Physicians per 1000 Inh. | 0.73 | 1.19 |
| Rabies Deaths (‰) | 0.000 | 0.001 |
| Tuberculosis (‰) | 1.95 | 0.62 |
| Diabetes (%) | 9.6 | 11.3 |
| Smokers (%) | 8.0 | 22.0 |
10.2. Analysis
Sri Lanka has a better healthcare infrastructure, with more hospital beds and physicians per 1000 inhabitants. India faces a higher prevalence of tuberculosis, while Sri Lanka has a higher percentage of smokers.
10.3. Healthcare Access
Improved healthcare access and infrastructure in Sri Lanka contribute to better health outcomes compared to India.
11. Climate Comparison: Weather Patterns
Climate affects agriculture, tourism, and overall lifestyle. Here’s a comparison of the climate in India and Sri Lanka.
11.1. Key Climate Metrics
| India | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime Temperatures (°C) | 31.6 | 27.2 |
| Nighttime Temperatures (°C) | 21.0 | 19.7 |
| Water Temperature (°C) | 27.3 | 27.7 |
| Relative Humidity (%) | 66 | 81 |
| Rain Days | 8.0 | 13.1 |
| Sunshine Hours per Day | 6.1 | 5.5 |
11.2. Analysis
India generally has higher daytime temperatures and more sunshine hours, while Sri Lanka experiences more rain and higher humidity.
11.3. Climate Zones
India has diverse climate zones, from alpine to tropical, while Sri Lanka has a predominantly tropical climate.
12. Linguistic Diversity: Languages Spoken
Language is a key aspect of cultural identity. Here’s a comparison of the languages spoken in India and Sri Lanka.
12.1. Native Languages
| Language | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Sinhala | n/a | 74.0 % |
| Hindi | 40.0 % | n/a |
| Tamil | 5.8 % | 18.0 % |
| Bengali | 8.0 % | n/a |
| Telugu | 7.2 % | n/a |
| Marathi | 6.7 % | n/a |
| Urdu | 5.0 % | n/a |
| Gujarati | 4.4 % | n/a |
| Kannada | 3.6 % | n/a |
| Malayalam | 3.2 % | n/a |
| English | 3.2 % | n/a |
| Oriya | 3.2 % | n/a |
| Punjabi | 2.8 % | n/a |
| Bhojpuri | 2.2 % | n/a |
| Assamese | 1.3 % | n/a |
| Maithili | 1.2 % | n/a |
| Nepali | 0.2 % | n/a |
| Sindhi | 0.2 % | n/a |
| Other | 1.8 % | 8.0 % |
12.2. Linguistic Landscape
India is highly linguistically diverse, with numerous regional languages spoken. Sri Lanka primarily speaks Sinhala and Tamil.
12.3. Official Languages
While Hindi and English are official languages in India, Sinhala and Tamil are official in Sri Lanka.
13. Religious Composition: Faith and Beliefs
Religion plays a significant role in shaping the cultural and social fabric of a nation.
13.1. Religious Demographics
| Religion | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| State Religion | None | Theravada Buddhism |
| Hinduism | 79.8 % | 12.6 % |
| Buddhism | 0.7 % | 70.2 % |
| Islam | 13.0 % | 9.7 % |
| Christianity | 2.3 % | 7.4 % |
| Sikhism | 1.7 % | n/a |
| Jainism | 0.4 % | n/a |
| Bahaism | 0.2 % | n/a |
| Other | 1.9 % | 0.1 % |
13.2. Religious Diversity
India is religiously diverse, with a significant Hindu population and sizable Muslim, Christian, and Sikh minorities. Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist, with Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities.
13.3. State Religion
Sri Lanka has Theravada Buddhism as its state religion, while India is a secular nation with no state religion.
14. Conclusion: Understanding the Contrasts
India and Sri Lanka, while both South Asian nations, exhibit significant differences across various parameters. India’s vast size and population contrast sharply with Sri Lanka’s smaller scale. While India has a larger economy overall, Sri Lanka shows better performance in certain per capita indicators and quality of life aspects.
14.1. Key Takeaways
- Size and Population: India is significantly larger and more populous than Sri Lanka.
- Economy: India has a larger GDP, but Sri Lanka has a higher GDP per capita.
- Quality of Life: Sri Lanka generally has a higher quality of life, particularly in healthcare.
- Infrastructure: India has a larger infrastructure network, but Sri Lanka has better accessibility per capita.
- Culture: India is more linguistically and religiously diverse, while Sri Lanka has a dominant Sinhala-Buddhist culture.
14.2. Making Informed Decisions
Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone looking to invest, travel, or understand the dynamics of these two nations. By comparing these factors, individuals can make more informed decisions based on their specific needs and interests.
15. FAQs: Addressing Common Queries
15.1. How does the GDP of Sri Lanka compare to India?
India’s total GDP is much larger due to its size. However, Sri Lanka has a higher GDP per capita.
15.2. Which country has a better healthcare system, India or Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka generally has a better healthcare system with more hospital beds and physicians per capita.
15.3. What are the main languages spoken in India and Sri Lanka?
Hindi and English are official languages in India, while Sinhala and Tamil are official in Sri Lanka.
15.4. How does the cost of living compare in India and Sri Lanka?
The cost of living is slightly higher in Sri Lanka compared to India.
15.5. Which country has a higher unemployment rate?
Sri Lanka has a higher unemployment rate compared to India.
15.6. What is the religious composition of India and Sri Lanka?
India is religiously diverse, with a Hindu majority, while Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist.
15.7. How do the climates of India and Sri Lanka differ?
India has diverse climate zones, while Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with higher humidity and more rainfall.
15.8. Which country has a higher literacy rate?
Sri Lanka generally has a higher literacy rate compared to India.
15.9. How does the infrastructure compare in India and Sri Lanka?
India has a larger infrastructure network, but Sri Lanka has better accessibility per capita.
15.10. What are the main exports of India and Sri Lanka?
India’s main exports include engineering goods, petroleum products, and chemicals, while Sri Lanka’s main exports include textiles, tea, and rubber products.
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