Sri Lanka’s recent trajectory has unfolded as a succession of formidable challenges, each exerting a profound influence on the populace’s well-being. The confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crisis and natural disasters has dramatically altered the socioeconomic landscape, giving rise to emergent pockets of vulnerability throughout the country. These challenges underscore the urgent need for evidence-based strategic measures to safeguard the nation’s stability and fortify its capacity to navigate the multifaceted threats converging on its social and economic fabric.

In a concerted effort to address the prevailing data deficit on the plight of the populace in the face of recent challenges, UNDP undertook the inaugural National Citizen Survey 2022-20231 in Sri Lanka. This initiative assessed the real-world challenges encountered by 25,000 households nationwide, ensuring an encompassing representation of the country’s dynamics and allowing for disaggregation to the district level. The primary purpose of the survey was to capture the ground realities of households in the face of compounded crises, and multiple and overlapping vulnerabilities.