Matale Population 2026
Matale has a population of 36,462, making it the #37 biggest city in 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, located in Central Province. Roughly 0.2% of Sri Lanka's population lives here. It is about 18× smaller than Colombo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
36,462
Rank in Sri Lanka
#37
Coordinates
7.47°N, 80.62°E
~366 m elevation · Asia/Colombo
Distance to capital (Colombo)
104 km
65 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Central Province
| City | Population | Rank in Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Kandy | 111,701 | #9 |
| Dambulla | 66,716 | #20 |
| Nuwara Eliya | 27,500 | #50 |
| Gampola | 24,283 | #52 |
| Hatton | 15,073 | #60 |
Cities near Matale
- Kandy111,701 people · ~20 km away
- Kurunegala28,571 people · ~28 km away
- Gampola24,283 people · ~34 km away
- Kegalle17,962 people · ~39 km away
- Dambulla66,716 people · ~44 km away
- Nuwara Eliya27,500 people · ~58 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Matale?
Matale has a population of 36,462 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #37 biggest city in Sri Lanka.
What region is Matale in?
Matale is located in Central Province, Sri Lanka.
Is Matale the capital of Sri Lanka?
No, the capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, about 104 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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