Sri Lanka’s computer literacy rate, the percentage of the overall population with basic competencies in computer skills fell marginally by 3.1% to 36.4%, in the first quarter of 2024, the Department of Census and Statistics’ Computer Literacy Statistics bulletin for the first six months of 2024 shows.
Previously, Sri Lanka experienced a marginal upward climb between 2022 and 2023, when the rate increased by almost four percentage points, to 39.5%.
Local experts have long identified that it is crucial for Sri Lanka to invest in building basic computer literacy and digital skills - as a means to stay ahead of the global digital divide.
The global digital divide, as described by Brookings Institute, encapsulates overlapping divides in digital skills, digital use, infrastructure quality, access to content - beyond just the divide between those with access to the internet or mobile devices and those without.
It determines one’s access to education, employment, healthcare and political participation.
Urban, rural and estate figures each fell marginally, with urban falling by 4.1%, rural by 3% and estate by 1.4%.
“The Urban sector shows the highest computer literacy rate with 48.2%, among the residential sectors. Computer literacy rates for rural and estate sectors are 34.9% and 16.3% respectively,” the bulletin said.
“Among the provinces the highest level of computer literacy is reported from the Western province (45.8%). The lowest computer literacy is reported from the North Central province (25.5%).”
Computer literacy among the employed population was recorded at an overall 70.6%, with professionals holding the highest number of literacy. Computer literacy among the employed population who are aware of computers in Sri Lanka is around 70.6 % in 2024.
“The positions such as senior officials and managers (89.1%), professionals (95.8%), technicians and associate professionals (93.5%), clerks and clerical support workers (90.7%) have higher computer literacy rates. Also, even among the individuals engaged in elementary occupations 37.8% are computer literate.”
Digital literacy, the rate which captures the ability to use digital technology, communication tools, and networks to access, manage, evaluate, and create information. It encompasses the skills, knowledge, and behaviors necessary to confidently navigate and participate effectively in a digital world.
This includes understanding how to use various digital devices, software applications, and online platforms for communication, information gathering, and problem-solving. The report detailed that two of three persons aged 5-69 were digitally literate in Sri Lanka, with a 64.3% rate.