Measure
Annual changes
Lost 0.3 points (−3% change) in overall score in 2020.
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Analysis
Sri Lanka is a minor power in Asia.
The country’s overall score declined by 0.3 points compared to 2019. The country is one of eighteen in the region to trend downward in its overall score in 2020, largely due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sri Lanka performs best in the diplomatic influence measure, where it places 17th. Its lowest ranking is in the defence networks measure, coming in at 22nd place.
In 2020, Sri Lanka saw its greatest improvement in defence networks, where it moved up three places. However, it has slipped by two places in the resilience measure relative to 2019.
Sri Lanka exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s negative power gap score. While Sri Lanka is a net underachiever in Asia, its negative power gap improved in 2020.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
21st
8.3
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
20th
— 2.4
Military capability
Conventional military strength
18th
7.2
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
18th −2
26.2
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
20th
— 2.4
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
21st
— 2.8
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
22nd +3
3.8
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
17th
25.1
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
20th
4.1