Sri LankaIsrael
Sri Lanka has a population of 21.8M, compared to Israel's 10.1M. Sri Lanka is 2.1 times more populous than Israel. Economically, Israel ($540.4B) has a GDP 5.5 times larger than Sri Lanka's ($99.0B). Sri Lanka covers 65,610 km², 3.0 times larger than Israel's 21,937 km². Life expectancy in Israel stands at 83.2 years, 5.7 years higher than Sri Lanka's 77.5 years.
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Sri Lanka wins
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Israel wins
Metric
Sri LankaIsrael| Population | 21.8M | 10.1M |
| Area | 65,610 km² | 21,937 km² |
| GDP | $99.0B | $540.4B |
| GDP Per Capita | $4,515.568 | $54,176.684 |
| Life Expectancy | 77.5 yrs | 83.2 yrs |
| Infant Mortality | 5.3 | 2.7 |
| Literacy Rate | — | — |
| Unemployment | 4.0% | 3.5% |
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | Jerusalem |
| Region | Asia | Asia |
| Languages | Sinhala, Tamil | Arabic, Hebrew |
| Currencies | LKR (Rs රු) | ILS (₪) |
Last updated: April 2026
All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.
Population Comparison
Sri Lanka is 2.1 times more populous than Israel, with 21.8M residents compared to 10.1M. Sri Lanka is a nation of 21.8M people, while Israel is a nation of 10.1M people. In terms of population density, Sri Lanka averages 332 people per km² (dense), while Israel averages 462 people per km² (dense). Israel has grown at 2.03% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Sri Lanka.
Economy Comparison
Sri Lanka is classified as a upper-middle-income economy, while Israel is classified as a high-income economy. The Israel economy ($540.4B) is 5.5 times larger than Sri Lanka's ($99.0B). Sri Lanka's GDP per capita of $4,515.568 is 60% below the regional average of 11,200 for Asia. Israel's GDP per capita of $54,176.684 is 384% above the regional average of 11,200 for Asia. On a per-capita basis, residents of Israel are on average 12.0 times wealthier than those in Sri Lanka.
Health & Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Sri Lanka is 77.5 years, compared to 83.2 years in Israel, a gap of 5.7 years. Israel (83.2 years) is 11.2 years above the global average of 72 years, while Sri Lanka (77.5 years) is 5.5 years above the global average of 72 years. At 5.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, Sri Lanka's infant mortality is 96% higher than Israel's 2.7.
Geographic Comparison
Sri Lanka (65,610 km²) is 3.0 times larger by land area than Israel (21,937 km²). Sri Lanka shares borders with 0 countries, while Israel borders 5 countries. Sri Lanka spans 1 timezone, compared to Israel's 1 timezone. Both Sri Lanka and Israel are located in Asia. Both countries fall within the Asia region, though they occupy different subregions: Southern Asia and Western Asia.
Key Differences
The most significant difference between Sri Lanka and Israel is in GDP per capita: Sri Lanka's $4,515.568 compared to Israel's $54,176.684 represents a 92% gap. The most significant difference between Sri Lanka and Israel is in GDP: Sri Lanka's $99.0B compared to Israel's $540.4B represents a 82% gap. The most significant difference between Sri Lanka and Israel is in land area: Sri Lanka's 65,610 km² compared to Israel's 21,937 km² represents a 67% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Sri Lanka's upper-middle-income economy and Israel's high-income economy.
At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean
Living Standards
Israel has a GDP per capita of $54,176.684, which is 12.0x that of Sri Lanka ($4,515.568). This gap reflects differences in economic development, industrial structure, and workforce productivity. In practical terms, average purchasing power in Israel is significantly higher, though cost of living differences partially offset the raw income gap.
Population Density
Israel is 1.4x more densely populated than Sri Lanka (462 vs 332 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Sri Lanka's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.
Healthcare and Longevity
Citizens of Israel live an average of 5.7 years longer than those of Sri Lanka (83.2 vs 77.5 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a substantial gap that suggests significant differences in healthcare systems and overall living conditions.
Economic Momentum
Sri Lanka's economy grew at 5.0% compared to Israel's 0.9%. Sri Lanka's high growth rate suggests a rapidly developing economy with expanding opportunities.
Travel Comparison
Sri Lanka vs Israel for Families
For family travel, Israel generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (2.7 vs 5.3 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Sri Lanka offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friendly attractions, though Israel's higher GDP per capita typically correlates with better tourist infrastructure, public transport, and English-language availability.
Sri Lanka vs Israel for Budget Travelers
Sri Lanka is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $4,515.568 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Sri Lanka can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Israel. However, Israel may offer better value in specific categories such as intercity transport or package deals. Shoulder season travel in either country helps reduce costs further.
Sri Lanka vs Israel for Retirees
Israel's life expectancy of 83.2 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Sri Lanka may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, climate preferences, and proximity to international airports. Both countries have established expat communities, though the specific visa options and healthcare quality vary by region within each country.
Sri Lanka vs Israel Cost of Living
Israel's GDP per capita is 12.0x that of Sri Lanka, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Israel, while Sri Lanka offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significantly by city within each country. Major urban centers in Sri Lanka can approach or exceed average costs in Israel's smaller cities.
Sri Lanka vs Israel for Digital Nomads
For digital nomads choosing between Sri Lanka and Israel, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Sri Lanka spans 1 timezone while Israel covers 1. Sri Lanka's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote income. Both countries have growing digital nomad communities, though specific visa requirements for remote workers differ and should be verified before committing to a longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Sri Lanka or Israel by population?
Sri Lanka is larger by population, with 21.8M residents compared to Israel's 10.1M. Sri Lanka is 2.1 times more populous than Israel.
Which country has a higher GDP, Sri Lanka or Israel?
Israel has the higher GDP at $540.4B, compared to Sri Lanka's $99.0B. Israel's economy is 5.5 times larger.
How does life expectancy compare between Sri Lanka and Israel?
Israel has a higher life expectancy at 83.2 years, compared to Sri Lanka's 77.5 years. The gap between the two countries is 5.7 years. Sri Lanka's life expectancy is 5.5 years above the global average of 72 years, while Israel's is 11.2 years above the global average of 72 years.
Which country is larger by area, Sri Lanka or Israel?
Sri Lanka is larger by land area, covering 65,610 km² compared to Israel's 21,937 km². Sri Lanka is 3.0 times larger than Israel.
What languages are spoken in Sri Lanka and Israel?
Sri Lanka recognizes the following languages: Sinhala, Tamil. Israel recognizes: Arabic, Hebrew. The two countries do not share an official language.
Which country has lower inflation, Sri Lanka or Israel?
Sri Lanka has lower inflation at -0.4%, compared to Israel's 3.1%. Sri Lanka's inflation is within the 2-3% range considered stable by most central banks, while Israel's rate is moderately elevated above the global median of 3.5%.
Is Sri Lanka or Israel better for a family holiday?
For family travel, Israel generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (2.7 vs 5.3 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Sri Lanka offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friendly a...
Is Sri Lanka or Israel cheaper to visit?
Sri Lanka is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $4,515.568 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Sri Lanka can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Israel. However, Israel may offer better val...
Is Sri Lanka or Israel better for retirement?
Israel's life expectancy of 83.2 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Sri Lanka may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, clim...
Is Sri Lanka or Israel more expensive to live in?
Israel's GDP per capita is 12.0x that of Sri Lanka, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Israel, while Sri Lanka offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significan...
Is Sri Lanka or Israel better for digital nomads?
For digital nomads choosing between Sri Lanka and Israel, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Sri Lanka spans 1 timezone while Israel covers 1. Sri Lanka's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote ...