🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Relocation Data 2026
Key statistics for expats and relocators
Data updated · Region: Asia · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)
Overall Score
35/100
Global Rank
#77/95
Est. Monthly Cost
$750
Dimension Breakdown
Confidence: 84%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Affordability Index | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 62/100 | Moderate |
| Rent | 93/100 | Affordable |
| Property Purchase | 93/100 | Affordable |
| Utilities | 93/100 | Affordable |
| Transport | 67/100 | Moderate |
| Overall (composite) | 21 | higher = more expensive |
Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $750 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).
Top Cities in Sri Lanka
Tax Overview
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Top Income Tax Rate | 36% |
| VAT / GST | 18% |
| Corporate Tax | 30% |
| Effective Rate at $60K | 30.3% |
Ordinary resident primary-declared, one-employment EPF reference: annual APIT uses the LKR 1,800,000 personal relief, then the 6% / 18% / 24% / 30% / 36% tariff. Employee EPF is 8% of statutory monthly earnings with no monetary ceiling, but does not reduce APIT employment profits. ETF at 3% and employer EPF at 12% are employer-only, not employee charges. Overtime, component-specific earnings, higher elected EPF rates, substitute funds, entering or leaving employment, and lump-sum cases are not modelled.
Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)
| Gross Income (USD) | Effective Rate | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 37% | $2,620 |
| $100,000 | 41% | $4,953 |
| $200,000 | 42% | $9,620 |
Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.
Visa Access by Passport
| Passport | Access Level | Max Stay (days) | Work Allowed | Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | e-Visa | 30 | No | Yes |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | e-Visa | 30 | No | Yes |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | e-Visa | 30 | No | Yes |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | e-Visa | 30 | No | No |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | e-Visa | 30 | No | No |
Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).
Key Facts
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative), Colombo (commercial) |
| Population | 22.2 Million |
| Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
| Languages | Sinhala, Tamil, English |
| Region | South Asia |
| Timezone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| English Proficiency | Moderate |
How to Cite
WhereNext. "Sri Lanka Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/lk. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.