Colombo's 2026 population is now estimated at 655,829. In 1950, the population of Colombo was 400,022. Colombo has grown by 8,272 in the last year, which represents a 1.28% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Colombo, which typically includes Colombo's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.
Colombo is located in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city and also the largest by population. This city is known for being a popular tourist destination, with tourism fueling the local economy. It is also a financial center of Sri Lanka. The city has a population of 752,993 people. The larger urban area has a population of over 2.3 million, while the metropolitan area has a population of more than 5.6 million residents.
The city proper covers a total area of 14.41 square miles, making the population density over 52,000 per square mile.
Colombo is a very ethnically diverse city and has many different ethnic communities residing within the city property. This includes such groups as the Sri Lankan Moor, Sinhalese, Chinese, Malay, and Indian. The largest ethnic group in Colombo is the Sinhalese, which make up over 41% of the total population. The city is also home to a large number of European expatriates.
In terms of religion, 31.4% are affiliated with Islam, 31.2% are Buddhist, 22.6% follow Hinduism, and about 14% are affiliated with some form of Christianity.
The languages used in Colombo include Sinhala and Tamil, and English is also used commonly.
Over 29% of males and over 30% of females in Colombo are in the 15 to 29 age range.
The city through the years has recorded slow but steady population growth every ten years when the census is taken. This city’s appeal to foreigners and its thriving tourism industry make this an appealing city that is expected to see continued population growth.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sao Paulo | 23,168,700 | 0.78% |
| Rio de Janeiro | 14,023,100 | 0.72% |
| Belo Horizonte | 6,401,500 | 0.78% |
| Brasilia | 5,040,720 | 1% |
| Recife | 4,380,780 | 0.85% |
| Fortaleza | 4,320,440 | 0.84% |
| Porto Alegre | 4,298,730 | 0.7% |
| Salvador | 4,063,170 | 0.83% |
| Curitiba | 3,923,290 | 0.88% |
| Campinas | 3,522,400 | 0.88% |
| Campinas | 3,522,400 | 0.88% |
| Goiania | 2,959,070 | 1.09% |
| Belem | 2,474,300 | 0.83% |
| Belem | 2,474,300 | 0.83% |
| Manaus | 2,459,370 | 1.02% |
| Natal | 1,591,510 | 1.04% |
| Joao Pessoa | 1,459,810 | 0.83% |
| Maceio | 1,399,310 | 0.82% |
| Guarulhos | 1,392,121 | 1.01% |
| Joinville | 1,386,480 | 0.86% |
| Florianopolis | 1,336,500 | 0.96% |
| Sao Luis | 1,108,975 | 1.01% |
| Aracaju | 1,092,540 | 0.98% |
| Teresina | 1,077,110 | 0.8% |
| Campo Grande | 951,238 | 0.84% |
| Londrina | 951,206 | 0.93% |
| Duque de Caxias | 924,624 | 1.01% |
| Sao Bernardo do Campo | 844,483 | 1.01% |
| Sorocaba | 836,189 | 0.86% |
| Nova Iguacu | 823,302 | 1% |
| Sao Jose dos Campos | 771,320 | 0.89% |
| Ribeirao Preto | 764,455 | 0.9% |
| Uberlandia | 731,528 | 0.87% |
| Jundiai | 727,251 | 0.91% |
| Santo Andre | 721,368 | 1.01% |
| Jaboatao dos Guararapes | 706,867 | 1.01% |
| Osasco | 699,944 | 1% |
| Contagem | 668,949 | 1.01% |
| Feira de Santana | 619,609 | 1.01% |
| Cuiaba | 610,186 | 0.68% |
| Aparecida de Goiania | 590,146 | 1.03% |
| Juiz de Fora | 573,285 | 1.01% |
| Porto Velho | 560,963 | 1.09% |
| Ananindeua | 535,547 | 1.01% |
| Macapa | 530,968 | 1.04% |
| Serra | 527,240 | 1.03% |
| Petrolina | 518,549 | 1.01% |
| Caxias do Sul | 517,451 | 1.02% |
| Niteroi | 515,317 | 1.01% |
| Belford Roxo | 513,118 | 1.01% |
| Vila Velha | 501,325 | 1.02% |
| Maua | 477,552 | 1.01% |
| Sao Joao de Meriti | 472,906 | 1% |
| Campos dos Goytacazes | 468,788 | 0.7% |
| Sao Jose do Rio Preto | 464,393 | 0.82% |
| Volta Redonda | 456,574 | 0.61% |
| Mogi das Cruzes | 450,785 | 1.02% |
| Maringa | 450,464 | 0.92% |
| Betim | 444,784 | 1.02% |
| Santos | 433,656 | 1% |
| Diadema | 426,757 | 1.01% |
| Piracicaba | 422,066 | 0.79% |
| Montes Claros | 421,893 | 0.84% |
| Campina Grande | 416,746 | 0.72% |
| Anapolis | 409,499 | 0.87% |
| Carapicuiba | 403,183 | 1.01% |
| Rio Branco | 396,861 | 0.92% |
| Bauru | 394,017 | 0.76% |
| Olinda | 393,115 | 1% |
| Itaquaquecetuba | 375,011 | 1.02% |
| Boa Vista | 372,683 | 0.98% |
| Blumenau | 371,177 | 0.88% |
| Franca | 370,314 | 0.78% |
| Ponta Grossa | 369,710 | 0.83% |
| Sao Vicente | 368,355 | 1.01% |
| Vitoria | 365,855 | 1.01% |
| Caucaia | 365,212 | 1.01% |
| Caruaru | 353,793 | 0.89% |
| Uberaba | 353,443 | 0.83% |
| Vitoria da Conquista | 350,749 | 0.9% |
| Canoas | 348,208 | 1.01% |
| Ribeirao das Neves | 338,197 | 1.01% |
| Pelotas | 337,994 | 0.68% |
| Paulista | 334,376 | 1.01% |
| Cascavel | 333,985 | 0.85% |
| Cascavel | 333,985 | 0.85% |
| Praia Grande | 330,845 | 1.02% |
| Taubate | 330,827 | 0.83% |
| Sao Jose dos Pinhais | 329,058 | 1.02% |
| Guaruja | 322,750 | 1.01% |
| Limeira | 308,482 | 1.01% |
| Petropolis | 306,678 | 1% |
| Santarem | 306,480 | 1% |
| Palmas | 306,296 | 1.03% |
| Palmas | 306,296 | 1.03% |
| Camacari | 304,302 | 1.02% |
| Mossoro | 300,618 | 1.01% |
| Suzano | 300,559 | 1.01% |
| Taboao da Serra | 293,652 | 1.02% |
| Varzea Grande | 287,526 | 1.01% |
| Sumare | 286,211 | 1.02% |
| Santa Maria | 283,677 | 1.01% |
| Gravatai | 283,620 | 1.01% |
| Maraba | 283,542 | 1.02% |
| Governador Valadares | 281,046 | 1.01% |
| Barueri | 276,982 | 1.01% |
| Juazeiro do Norte | 276,264 | 1.01% |
| Parnamirim | 267,036 | 1.03% |
| Parnamirim | 267,036 | 1.03% |
| Ipatinga | 265,409 | 1.01% |
| Macae | 261,501 | 1.02% |
| Imperatriz | 259,337 | 1% |
| Foz do Iguacu | 258,248 | 1% |
| Viamao | 256,302 | 1.01% |
| Indaiatuba | 256,223 | 1.02% |
| Sao Carlos | 254,484 | 1.01% |
| Cotia | 253,608 | 1.02% |
| Sao Jose | 250,181 | 1.02% |
| Novo Hamburgo | 247,032 | 1% |
| Itaborai | 242,543 | 1.01% |
| Americana | 242,018 | 1.01% |
| Sete Lagoas | 241,835 | 1.01% |
| Itapevi | 240,961 | 1.02% |
| Divinopolis | 240,408 | 1.01% |
| Sao Leopoldo | 238,648 | 1.01% |
| Araraquara | 238,339 | 1.01% |
| Rondonopolis | 236,042 | 1.02% |
| Jacarei | 235,416 | 1.01% |
| Hortolandia | 234,259 | 1.02% |
| Arapiraca | 233,047 | 1.01% |
| Cabo Frio | 230,378 | 1.02% |
| Presidente Prudente | 230,371 | 1.01% |
| Maracanau | 229,458 | 1.01% |
| Dourados | 225,495 | 1.01% |
| Chapeco | 224,013 | 1.02% |
| Itajai | 223,112 | 1.02% |
| Santa Luzia | 220,444 | 1.01% |
| Santa Luzia | 220,444 | 1.01% |
| Santa Luzia | 220,444 | 1.01% |
| Criciuma | 217,311 | 1.01% |
| Itabuna | 213,685 | 1% |
| Rio Grande | 211,965 | 1.01% |
| Luziania | 211,508 | 1.02% |
| Alvorada | 211,352 | 1.01% |
| Sobral | 210,711 | 1.01% |
| Cachoeiro de Itapemirim | 210,589 | 1.01% |
| Rio Claro | 208,008 | 1.01% |
| Rio Claro | 208,008 | 1.01% |
| Angra dos Reis | 207,044 | 1.02% |
| Passo Fundo | 204,722 | 1.01% |
| Castanhal | 203,251 | 1.02% |
| Lauro de Freitas | 201,635 | 1.02% |
| Aracatuba | 198,129 | 1.01% |
| Ferraz de Vasconcelos | 196,500 | 1.02% |
| Santa Barbara d'Oeste | 194,390 | 1.01% |
| Nova Friburgo | 191,158 | 1% |
| Nossa Senhora do Socorro | 185,706 | 1.01% |
| Barra Mansa | 184,833 | 1% |
| Teresopolis | 184,240 | 1.01% |
| Araguaina | 183,381 | 1.02% |
| Guarapuava | 182,644 | 1.01% |
| Ibirite | 182,153 | 1.01% |
| Jaragua do Sul | 181,173 | 1.02% |
| Sao Jose de Ribamar | 179,028 | 1.01% |
| Itapecerica da Serra | 177,662 | 1.02% |
| Francisco Morato | 177,633 | 1.01% |
| Linhares | 176,688 | 1.02% |
| Itu | 175,568 | 1.01% |
| Palhoca | 175,272 | 1.02% |
| Braganca Paulista | 170,533 | 1.02% |
| Timon | 170,222 | 1.01% |
| Pindamonhangaba | 170,132 | 1.01% |
| Pocos de Caldas | 168,641 | 1.01% |
| Itapetininga | 165,526 | 1.01% |
| Caxias | 165,525 | 1.01% |
| Marica | 164,504 | 1.03% |
| Nilopolis | 162,693 | 1% |
| Sao Caetano do Sul | 161,957 | 1.01% |
| Ilheus | 159,923 | 0.99% |
| Abaetetuba | 159,080 | 1.01% |
| Lages | 157,349 | 1% |
| Barreiras | 156,975 | 1.01% |
| Franco da Rocha | 156,492 | 1.02% |
| Paranagua | 156,174 | 1.01% |
| Jequie | 156,126 | 1% |
| Rio das Ostras | 155,193 | 1.04% |
| Patos de Minas | 153,585 | 1.01% |
| Parnaiba | 153,482 | 1.01% |
| Mogi Guacu | 153,033 | 1.01% |
| Pouso Alegre | 152,549 | 1.02% |
| Alagoinhas | 152,327 | 1.01% |
| Jau | 151,881 | 1.01% |
| Queimados | 151,335 | 1.01% |
| Porto Seguro | 150,658 | 1.02% |
| Botucatu | 148,130 | 1.02% |
| Araucaria | 146,214 | 1.02% |
| Sinop | 146,005 | 1.03% |
| Balneario Camboriu | 145,796 | 1.03% |
| Atibaia | 144,088 | 1.01% |
| Toledo | 142,645 | 1.02% |
| Santana de Parnaiba | 142,301 | 1.03% |
| Teofilo Otoni | 140,937 | 1% |
| Garanhuns | 140,577 | 1.01% |
| Vitoria de Santo Antao | 139,583 | 1.01% |
| Cameta | 139,364 | 1.01% |
| Barbacena | 138,204 | 1.01% |
| Brusque | 137,689 | 1.03% |
| Santa Rita | 137,349 | 1.01% |
| Santa Rita | 137,349 | 1.01% |
| Varginha | 136,602 | 1.01% |
| Apucarana | 136,234 | 1.01% |
| Simoes Filho | 135,783 | 1.01% |
| Araras | 135,506 | 1.01% |
| Itaguai | 134,819 | 1.02% |
| Araruama | 134,293 | 1.02% |
| Campo Largo | 133,865 | 1.02% |
| Pinhais | 133,490 | 1.01% |
| Crato | 133,031 | 1.01% |
| Sao Mateus | 132,642 | 1.02% |
| Resende | 132,312 | 1.01% |
| Sao Felix do Xingu | 132,138 | 1.04% |
| Cubatao | 131,626 | 1.01% |
| Santa Cruz do Sul | 131,365 | 1.01% |
| Cachoeirinha | 131,240 | 1.01% |
| Cachoeirinha | 131,240 | 1.01% |
| Valinhos | 131,210 | 1.02% |
| Itapipoca | 130,539 | 1.01% |
| Trindade | 129,823 | 1.02% |
| Trindade | 129,823 | 1.02% |
| Trindade | 129,823 | 1.02% |
| Vespasiano | 129,765 | 1.02% |
| Conselheiro Lafaiete | 129,606 | 1.01% |
| Braganca | 128,914 | 1.01% |
| Sertaozinho | 127,142 | 1.01% |
| Barcarena | 127,027 | 1.02% |
| Uruguaiana | 126,866 | 1% |
| Guarapari | 126,701 | 1.02% |
| Jandira | 126,356 | 1.02% |
| Birigui | 124,883 | 1.01% |
| Arapongas | 124,810 | 1.02% |
| Ribeirao Pires | 124,159 | 1.01% |
| Formosa | 123,684 | 1.02% |
| Votorantim | 123,599 | 1.01% |
| Colatina | 123,400 | 1.01% |
| Caraguatatuba | 123,389 | 1.02% |
| Tres Lagoas | 123,281 | 1.02% |
| Codo | 123,116 | 1% |
| Santana | 123,096 | 1.02% |
| Santana | 123,096 | 1.02% |
| Varzea Paulista | 123,071 | 1.01% |
| Tatui | 122,967 | 1.01% |
| Barretos | 122,833 | 1.01% |
| Itatiba | 122,581 | 1.02% |
| Guaratingueta | 122,505 | 1.01% |
| Catanduva | 122,497 | 1.01% |
| Bento Goncalves | 121,803 | 1.01% |
| Bage | 121,335 | 1% |
| Itabira | 120,904 | 1.01% |
| Almirante Tamandare | 120,041 | 1.02% |
| Salto | 119,736 | 1.01% |
| Paulo Afonso | 118,516 | 1.01% |
| Senador Canedo | 118,451 | 1.03% |
| Igarassu | 118,370 | 1.01% |
| Poa | 118,349 | 1.01% |
| Araguari | 117,825 | 1.01% |
| Uba | 116,797 | 1.01% |
| Altamira | 115,969 | 1.02% |
| Parintins | 115,363 | 1.01% |
| Passos | 115,337 | 1.01% |
| Tucurui | 115,144 | 1.02% |
| Piraquara | 114,970 | 1.02% |
| Paragominas | 114,503 | 1.02% |
| Eunapolis | 114,396 | 1.01% |
| Ourinhos | 114,352 | 1.01% |
| Sao Lourenco da Mata | 114,079 | 1.01% |
| Umuarama | 112,500 | 1.01% |
| Corumba | 112,058 | 1.01% |
| Paulinia | 112,003 | 1.03% |
| Catalao | 110,983 | 1.03% |
| Coronel Fabriciano | 110,290 | 1.01% |
| Santa Cruz do Capibaribe | 109,897 | 1.02% |
| Ariquemes | 109,523 | 1.02% |
| Muriae | 109,392 | 1.01% |
| Patos | 108,192 | 1.01% |
| Cambe | 107,341 | 1.01% |
| Araxa | 107,337 | 1.01% |
| Erechim | 106,633 | 1.01% |
| Tubarao | 106,422 | 1.01% |
| Sao Pedro da Aldeia | 106,049 | 1.02% |
| Itumbiara | 105,809 | 1.01% |
| Japeri | 105,548 | 1.01% |
| Ituiutaba | 105,255 | 1.01% |
| Lagarto | 105,221 | 1.01% |
| Assis | 105,087 | 1.01% |
| Bacabal | 104,790 | 1% |
| Lavras | 104,783 | 1.01% |
| Leme | 104,346 | 1.01% |
| Itaperuna | 103,800 | 1.01% |
| Sao Goncalo do Amarante | 103,672 | 1.02% |
| Sao Goncalo do Amarante | 103,672 | 1.02% |
| Breves | 103,497 | 1.01% |
| Itanhaem | 103,102 | 1.02% |
| Aracruz | 103,101 | 1.02% |
| Iguatu | 103,074 | 1.01% |
| Caieiras | 102,775 | 1.02% |
| Itacoatiara | 102,701 | 1.02% |
| Santo Antonio de Jesus | 102,380 | 1.01% |
| Vilhena | 102,211 | 1.03% |
| Jatai | 102,065 | 1.01% |
| Mairipora | 101,937 | 1.02% |
| Itaituba | 101,395 | 1% |
| Barra do Pirai | 100,764 | 1.01% |
| Abreu e Lima | 100,346 | 1.01% |