SRI LANKA: Computer Literacy Surges to 38.4% in Early 2025 – Youth Lead the Digital Charge
By Lions Roar News Technology Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (Monday, January 19, 2026) — Sri Lanka’s digital landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with the latest survey from the Department of Census and Statistics revealing that the national computer literacy rate has climbed to 38.4% in the first half of 2025.
The findings highlight a narrowing gender gap and a massive surge in tech proficiency among the younger generation, though a stark divide remains between urban and estate sectors.
📊 The Digital Divide: Sector-Wise Breakdown
The survey underscores the disparity in access and skills across different living environments in the country:
- Urban Sector: Leads the way with a dominant 52.1% literacy rate.
- Rural Sector: Standing at 36.6%, showing steady growth.
- Estate Sector: Continues to lag behind at 18.6%, highlighting a need for targeted digital intervention in plantation communities.
👫 Gender & Age: Closing the Gap
One of the most encouraging trends in the 2025 data is the minimal difference between male and female digital skills.
- Gender Parity: Male literacy stands at 39.9%, while female literacy is closely trailing at 37.1%.
- Youth Power: The 15–19 age group recorded the highest literacy rate across all demographics at a staggering 75.6%, proving that the next generation of Sri Lankans is overwhelmingly digital-native.
🎓 Education and Language as Key Drivers
The data proves that formal education and English language skills are the primary gateways to digital proficiency.
- Academic Success: Individuals with an A-Level qualification or higher boast a computer literacy rate of 78.6%.
- The English Advantage: The department noted a direct correlation between English literacy and computer skills, with English speakers showing significantly higher technical competency.
How is it measured? In Sri Lanka, computer literacy is defined as the percentage of the population aged 5 to 69 who can independently use a computer (Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet).
