Dependency ratio shows the number of dependents in the child (<15 years) and in the
old (60 years and over) populations per 100 persons in the working ages.
Child age dependency ratio shows the number of children (<15 years) per 100 persons
in the working ages while old age dependency ratio shows the number of
aged persons (60 years and over) per 100 persons in the working ages.
- In Sri Lanka, the proportion of children under 15 years of age is projected to decrease
from 26.3% in 2001 to 14.9% in 2051.
- The proportion of persons, whose ages range from 15 to 59 will change gradually,
from 64.5% in 2001 to 56.2% in 2051.
- The proportion of persons aged 60 years or over is 9.2% in 2001 but by 2051,
it will increase to 28.8%.
- Child dependency has declined and old dependency has increased since 2001 and continues through to 2051.
- In 2001, the total dependency ratio was 55.0 which means that there were
55 dependent persons for every 100 working age persons of which 41 persons were
child dependents while 14 were old dependents.
- In 2012, the total dependency ratio was 60.2, which means there are 60 dependent persons
for every 100 working age persons.
- As a result of the rapid growth in old age dependency, which out paces the decline in
child dependency, total dependence of the population is expected to grow significantly from the mid 2030s.
- By maximizing on the current demographic
dividend the country can save up for its older dependents.
- On the other hand, policymakers should look
at more long-term measures such as retaining older
workers in the labour force, pension policies,
redefining skill profiles of older workers and changing
social attitudes towards them.
- Investments in the health of the current working
age population need to be made, particular of women
as they are living longer, to ensure productivity and
minimize future health costs to the economy.
