Photo: Løken · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sri Lanka: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Sri Lanka is placed 76th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 0.901 (2024); Water Stress 90.79 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
76th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.901CO₂ Emissions per Capita, 2024Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
- 90.79Water Stress, 2023Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
- 3.08Organic Agricultural Area, 2024Organic share of agricultural land (%)
- 1.272Ecological Footprint, 2025Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Sri Lanka on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.901
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Sri Lanka: 0.901. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.254 Afghanistan
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
90.79
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Sri Lanka: 90.79. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Southern Asia
- 1.41 Bhutan
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
3.08
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Sri Lanka: 3.08. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Southern Asia
- 3.08 Sri Lanka
1.272
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Sri Lanka: 1.272. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.722 Pakistan
02Over time
Which way Sri Lanka is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
Sri LankaWorld median
Sri Lanka rose from 0.518 in 2000 to 0.901 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Sri Lanka World median 2024 0.9014 3.210 2023 0.8343 3.145 2022 0.8048 3.162 2021 0.9173 3.087 2020 0.9047 2.903 2019 0.9418 3.273 2018 0.9049 3.036 2017 1.0036 3.049 2016 1.0196 2.894 2015 0.8826 2.846 2014 0.7925 2.919 2013 0.6622 2.779 2012 0.7270 2.770 2011 0.6890 2.748 2010 0.6081 2.812 2009 0.6057 2.799 2008 0.5646 2.979 2007 0.5779 2.593 2006 0.5652 2.865 2005 0.5772 2.885 2004 0.5928 2.802 2003 0.5394 2.918 2002 0.5446 2.785 2001 0.5182 2.726 2000 0.5178 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
Sri LankaWorld median
Sri Lanka fell from 91.24 in 2000 to 90.79 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Sri Lanka World median 2023 90.79 10.000 2022 90.79 10.190 2021 90.79 10.460 2020 90.79 10.460 2019 90.79 10.890 2018 90.79 10.460 2017 90.79 10.460 2016 90.79 10.460 2015 90.79 10.190 2014 90.79 10.460 2013 90.79 10.460 2012 90.79 10.460 2011 90.79 10.460 2010 90.79 10.710 2009 90.79 10.960 2008 90.79 10.815 2007 90.79 11.180 2006 90.79 10.430 2005 90.79 10.250 2004 90.88 10.715 2003 90.97 10.370 2002 91.06 10.180 2001 91.15 10.130 2000 91.24 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
Sri LankaWorld median
Sri Lanka rose from 0.4 in 2005 to 3.08 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Sri Lanka World median 2024 3.08 0.725 2023 2.32 0.780 2022 2.42 0.740 2021 2.37 0.710 2020 2.61 0.665 2019 2.51 0.550 2018 2.74 0.490 2017 6.00 0.630 2016 3.50 0.545 2015 3.51 0.540 2014 2.28 0.470 2013 0.71 0.440 2012 0.71 0.480 2011 0.71 0.460 2010 0.85 0.330 2009 0.81 0.335 2008 0.86 0.290 2007 0.71 0.370 2006 0.70 0.305 2005 0.40 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
Sri LankaWorld median
Sri Lanka rose from 1.241 in 2000 to 1.272 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year Sri Lanka World median 2025 1.2716 2.2963 2024 1.2781 2.3139 2023 1.2441 2.3174 2022 1.2386 2.2724 2021 1.4525 2.3370 2020 1.4754 2.3057 2019 1.5758 2.2578 2018 1.5748 2.2485 2017 1.6444 2.2209 2016 1.5173 2.2308 2015 1.5765 2.3000 2014 1.5336 2.3814 2013 1.3707 2.3363 2012 1.4569 2.4200 2011 1.4946 2.4794 2010 1.3825 2.3679 2009 1.2183 2.2224 2008 1.2904 2.1727 2007 1.2748 2.2036 2006 1.2442 2.1203 2005 1.1834 2.1512 2004 1.2763 2.1055 2003 1.2527 2.0449 2002 1.1709 2.1195 2001 1.1805 2.2004 2000 1.2409 1.9499
03In context
Sri Lanka beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Sri Lanka and Southern Asia
Sri Lanka has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nepal | 60th | 0.633 | 8.31 | 0.04 | 0.887 |
 Bangladesh | =61st | 0.624 | 5.72 | 0.01 | 0.906 |
| Sri Lanka | 76th | 0.901 | 90.79 | 3.08 | 1.272 |
 Indiacompare | 85th | 2.201 | 65.87 | 2.23 | 1.13 |
 Pakistan | 86th | 0.716 | 98.12 | 0.24 | 0.722 |
 Bhutan | 87th | 2.094 | 1.41 | 0.7 | 4.771 |
 Afghanistan | =97th | 0.254 | 54.76 | 0 | 0.773 |
 Maldives | 128th | 4.369 | 9.62 | — | — |
 Iran | 180th | 8.656 | 80.43 | 0.01 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Sri Lanka in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Sri Lanka is ahead of the world, and behind
41 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median8
Statistics on which Sri Lanka does better than the middle country measured.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1869.4718.18No real change since 2015
Sri Lanka: 69.47 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7380.8582.738▲ Improved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 0.858 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.360.966No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 0.36 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 180th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7540.678No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 0.754 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 27th of 156 · derived.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.871.565No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 0.87 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 148th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.110▲ Improved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 0.11 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.293.14▲ Improved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 3.29 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 80th of 186 · derived.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.4360.45▲ Improved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 0.436 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 87th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Behind the world median8
Statistics on which Sri Lanka does worse than the middle country measured.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5282,3802,528No real change since 2012
Sri Lanka: 2,380 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 181 · derived.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4445.4947.44No real change since 2014
Sri Lanka: 45.49 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 105th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.174.874.17No real change since 2015
Sri Lanka: 4.87 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 86th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 55.45No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 5.4 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 61st of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.860.463.8No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 60.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 59th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.3611.663No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 2.361 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4520.714.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Sri Lanka: 20.7 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 74th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.16.0516.1No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 6.05 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
No better end25
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1487.3662.14No real change since 2012
Sri Lanka: 87.36 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 34th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375410,76052,375Moved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 410,760 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1441.450.144Moved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 1.45 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36153.9487.36Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 153.94 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 57th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9648.6137.96Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 48.61 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 66th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,77515,2433,775Moved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 15,243 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2781,247,195689,278Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 1,247,195 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 72nd of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100225100No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 225 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 525900525No earlier reading
Sri Lanka: 900 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.083431.08No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 34 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 95th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9543.8332.954Moved since 1990
Sri Lanka: 3.833 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,92713,4838,927No real change since 2015
Sri Lanka: 13,483 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.
Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.0010.0010.001Moved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 0.001 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.7912.6712.79Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 12.67 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6336.1637.63No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 36.16 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.591.73Moved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 1.59 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 93rd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69301.02325.69No real change since 2015
Sri Lanka: 301.02 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6358,0148,635No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 8,014 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 103rd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8245,40913,824Moved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 5,409 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0750.8651.075Moved since 2014
Sri Lanka: 0.865 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.0620.109No real change since 2013
Sri Lanka: 0.062 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 141st of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.320.535Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 0.32 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 130th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.0831.708Moved since 2011
Sri Lanka: 0.083 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 153rd of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8311.5657.83Moved since 2013
Sri Lanka: 11.56 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4740.8491.474Moved since 2015
Sri Lanka: 0.849 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
No current reading for Sri Lanka
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Agricultural Irrigated Land, Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among Sri Lanka’s 15 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Sri Lanka’s 4th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Health & Wellbeing51st of 2004/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade63rd of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions71st of 1944/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability76th of 1864/4 keys
- Digital & Technology85th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 89th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties93rd of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 86th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 88th of 1764/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture94th of 1843/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality85th of 1593/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 126th of 1934/4 keys
- Gender & Equality150th of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge171st of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour160th of 1824/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Sri Lanka can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Palestine24th2/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Nepal60th4/4 keysThis page
Sri Lanka76th4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Sri Lanka on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Sri Lanka rank on environment & sustainability?
Sri Lanka is placed 76th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Sri Lanka?
0.901 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Sri Lanka?
90.79 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How have Sri Lanka’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.518 in 2000 to 0.901 in 2024; Water Stress fell from 91.24 in 2000 to 90.79 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.4 in 2005 to 3.08 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 1.241 in 2000 to 1.272 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Sri Lanka?
No current reading is published for Sri Lanka on Adjusted Net Savings, Agricultural Irrigated Land, Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 41 statistics on this page come from 19 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Sri Lanka’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Sri Lanka (banner) — Løken, CC0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Sri Lanka: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sri-lanka/environment