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Gambia vs Sierra Leone statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a population of 2.76M (ranked 140/197), compared with 8.64M in Sierra Leone (ranked 102/197). The Gambia's land area is 3,907 sq mi versus 27,869 sq mi for Sierra Leone (ranked 161st vs. 116th).

By GDP, The Gambia ranks 174/197 ($2.4B) and Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B). By GDP per capita, The Gambia ranks 183/197 ($871), while Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807).

Main facts and rankings

Gambia Sierra Leone
Population
2902554
9049533
Population rank 138/197 101/197
GDP
$2.4B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank 174/197 160/197
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank 183/197 186/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$3,522
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank 155/185 174/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$2,915
2026
Land area 3,907 sq mi 27,869 sq mi
Population density
739 ppl/mi²
2026
323 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.01
2023
3.79
2023
Median age
19.4 years
2024
20.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.5 years
2026
62.3 years
2026

Gambia and Sierra Leone: Comparison Charts

Gambia and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP
Gambia Sierra Leone
2024 $2,404,888,749 $6,971,127,235
2023 $2,382,262,185 $6,415,852,767
2022 $2,204,734,528 $7,121,125,278
2021 $2,014,158,842 $7,166,931,485
2020 $1,812,170,891 $6,688,307,703
2019 $1,813,609,692 $6,523,577,594
2018 $1,670,671,328 $6,390,514,689
2017 $1,504,909,463 $5,749,846,528
2016 $1,484,578,886 $6,084,297,211
2015 $1,378,176,609 $6,788,352,975
2014 $1,229,461,721 $7,686,138,791
2013 $1,375,609,453 $7,502,762,863
2012 $1,415,004,738 $6,141,666,509
2011 $1,409,693,597 $4,861,632,885
2010 $1,543,294,927 $4,262,805,967
2009 $1,450,142,509 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,561,766,956 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,279,703,047 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,054,112,488 $3,263,697,467
2005 $1,027,701,068 $2,545,275,313
2004 $961,900,651 $2,237,350,687
2003 $487,038,685 $2,142,618,046
2002 $578,235,309 $1,933,863,911
2001 $687,410,645 $1,681,473,894
2000 $782,913,872 $635,866,404
1999 $814,724,032 $669,386,624
1998 $840,285,265 $672,368,187
1997 $803,633,342 $850,232,760
1996 $848,239,446 $941,709,423
1995 $785,999,865 $870,740,292
1994 $746,493,952 $911,853,802
1993 $755,040,974 $768,867,883
1992 $714,254,256 $679,940,814
1991 $690,311,081 $779,981,987
1990 $317,083,695 $649,644,098
1989 $284,120,329 $932,974,420
1988 $266,672,212 $1,055,083,933
1987 $220,626,484 $660,106,336
1986 $185,646,987 $490,181,457
1985 $225,726,359 $856,890,459
1984 $177,340,880 $1,087,471,862
1983 $213,448,585 $995,104,305
1982 $216,050,552 $1,295,361,886
1981 $218,767,743 $1,114,830,472
1980 $241,083,090 $1,100,685,845
1979 $207,112,628 $1,109,374,911
1978 $171,833,086 $960,728,339
1977 $138,093,099 $691,777,584
1976 $112,190,829 $594,895,942
1975 $115,179,719 $679,336,344
1974 $95,796,022 $648,590,643
1973 $75,187,749 $575,230,724
1972 $59,160,569 $465,381,340
1971 $55,728,663 $419,549,305
1970 $52,296,084 $434,410,974
1969 $45,168,072 $408,690,163
1968 $41,160,066 $329,859,732
1967 $46,695,007 $348,795,303
1966 $44,212,081 $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Gambia and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP per capita
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP per capita
Gambia Sierra Leone
2024 $871 $807
2023 $883 $758
2022 $836 $860
2021 $782 $885
2020 $720 $845
2019 $738 $844
2018 $696 $846
2017 $643 $779
2016 $650 $844
2015 $620 $965
2014 $568 $1,118
2013 $654 $1,117
2012 $693 $938
2011 $711 $761
2010 $801 $685
2009 $775 $653
2008 $859 $705
2007 $725 $632
2006 $615 $580
2005 $616 $463
2004 $593 $418
2003 $309 $414
2002 $377 $389
2001 $460 $358
2000 $538 $143.7
1999 $575 $155
1998 $610 $156.5
1997 $600 $199.9
1996 $652 $224.3
1995 $622 $208.4
1994 $608 $218.5
1993 $635 $185
1992 $623 $163.2
1991 $628 $183.7
1990 $301 $154.8
1989 $280.9 $231.3
1988 $274.9 $268.2
1987 $237 $172.4
1986 $207.7 $131.5
1985 $262.8 $235.5
1984 $214.8 $306
1983 $268.6 $285.8
1982 $282.1 $380
1981 $296 $334
1980 $338 $336
1979 $300 $346
1978 $257.6 $305
1977 $213.8 $224.2
1976 $179.3 $196.4
1975 $189.8 $228.4
1974 $162.6 $222.1
1973 $131.4 $200.6
1972 $106.5 $165.4
1971 $103.3 $151.8
1970 $99.8 $160.2
1969 $88.7 $153.6
1968 $83.1 $126.3
1967 $97 $136.1
1966 $94.4 $149.3
1965 - $145.6
1964 - $153.4
1963 - $146.3
1962 - $146.3
1961 - $142.3
1960 - $142

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Gambia vs. Sierra Leone life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Gambia Sierra Leone
2026 66.5 62.3
2025 66.3 62.2
2024 66.1 62
2023 65.9 61.8
2022 64.9 61.3
2021 63.8 60.3
2020 64.4 59.7
2019 64.4 59.6
2018 64 59.1
2017 63.7 57.8
2016 63.4 56.9
2015 63 55.5
2014 62.6 54.3
2013 62.3 54.1
2012 61.9 53.2
2011 61.6 52.6
2010 61.2 51.9
2009 60.7 51.3
2008 60.5 50.7
2007 60 50
2006 59.7 49.5
2005 59.1 48.3
2004 58.7 47.5
2003 58.2 46.8
2002 57.7 46.2
2001 57.3 45.4
2000 56.9 44.8
1999 56.5 42
1998 56 42.7
1997 55.2 43.6
1996 54.8 43.5
1995 54.3 42.6
1994 53.8 42.8
1993 53.2 43.4
1992 52.5 43.5
1991 51.9 43.3
1990 51.3 43.7
1989 50.7 43.7
1988 50.1 43.8
1987 49.4 43.7
1986 48.8 43.5
1985 48.2 43.6
1984 47.5 43.6
1983 46.9 43.5
1982 46.3 43.3
1981 44.5 43.1
1980 45 42.8
1979 44.5 42.5
1978 43.6 42.2
1977 43.4 41.8
1976 42.9 41.4
1975 42.2 41
1974 41.7 40.4
1973 41.1 40
1972 40.5 39.5
1971 40 39.1
1970 39.5 38.6
1969 39 38.2
1968 38.5 37.8
1967 38.1 37.3
1966 37.6 36.6
1965 37.1 35.9
1964 36.6 35.3
1963 36.1 34.7
1962 35.6 34.2
1961 35.1 33.6
1960 34.6 33.1
1959 34.1 32.6
1958 33.6 32.1
1957 33.1 31.8
1956 32.8 31.3
1955 32.4 30.9
1954 32.2 30.5
1953 31.9 30.1
1952 31.7 29.7
1951 31.5 29.3
1950 31.2 28.9

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Gambia and Sierra Leone population clocks and comparison

Population
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Population
Gambia Sierra Leone
2024 2,759,988 8,642,022
2023 2,697,845 8,460,512
2022 2,636,470 8,276,807
2021 2,576,010 8,094,602
2020 2,515,733 7,912,558
2019 2,456,844 7,731,991
2018 2,399,632 7,554,563
2017 2,342,189 7,379,299
2016 2,283,769 7,205,328
2015 2,224,529 7,037,655
2014 2,164,528 6,876,385
2013 2,103,820 6,714,051
2012 2,043,094 6,551,080
2011 1,983,784 6,387,251
2010 1,926,630 6,222,714
2009 1,871,422 6,055,646
2008 1,817,852 5,894,722
2007 1,765,774 5,749,352
2006 1,715,275 5,624,466
2005 1,667,037 5,501,712
2004 1,621,312 5,355,717
2003 1,577,611 5,177,687
2002 1,535,691 4,971,435
2001 1,495,011 4,692,716
2000 1,455,084 4,423,611
1999 1,415,779 4,318,043
1998 1,376,987 4,295,785
1997 1,338,889 4,253,716
1996 1,301,410 4,199,210
1995 1,264,313 4,179,179
1994 1,227,226 4,173,105
1993 1,188,365 4,157,130
1992 1,145,582 4,166,366
1991 1,099,959 4,246,267
1990 1,054,696 4,196,828
1989 1,011,357 4,034,037
1988 970,160 3,934,517
1987 931,091 3,829,718
1986 894,019 3,728,380
1985 858,874 3,638,438
1984 825,631 3,558,758
1983 794,525 3,481,646
1982 765,753 3,408,183
1981 739,125 3,338,940
1980 713,913 3,272,089
1979 689,781 3,207,499
1978 667,103 3,145,517
1977 645,770 3,085,354
1976 625,667 3,028,820
1975 606,821 2,974,657
1974 589,085 2,920,459
1973 571,991 2,866,955
1972 555,370 2,814,388
1971 539,388 2,763,222
1970 524,105 2,712,286
1969 509,440 2,661,365
1968 495,269 2,611,532
1967 481,588 2,562,384
1966 468,516 2,514,638
1965 455,952 2,468,666
1964 443,687 2,424,390
1963 431,757 2,382,258
1962 420,163 2,342,242
1961 408,930 2,304,227
1960 398,060 2,268,356

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Fertility rates in Gambia and Sierra Leone

Fertility rate
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Fertility rate
Gambia Sierra Leone
2023 4.01 3.79
2022 4.08 3.88
2021 4.17 3.98
2020 4.25 4.08
2019 4.33 4.19
2018 4.42 4.29
2017 4.61 4.39
2016 4.81 4.47
2015 5 4.55
2014 5.2 4.7
2013 5.39 4.87
2012 5.52 5.06
2011 5.54 5.21
2010 5.56 5.33
2009 5.57 5.45
2008 5.63 5.56
2007 5.69 5.64
2006 5.74 5.74
2005 5.71 5.81
2004 5.68 5.92
2003 5.66 6.09
2002 5.66 6.23
2001 5.67 6.31
2000 5.72 6.36
1999 5.77 6.42
1998 5.82 6.5
1997 5.85 6.53
1996 5.93 6.55
1995 5.99 6.56
1994 6.04 6.56
1993 6.03 6.57
1992 6.11 6.56
1991 6.19 6.55
1990 6.25 6.57
1989 6.25 6.57
1988 6.26 6.59
1987 6.3 6.61
1986 6.34 6.6
1985 6.36 6.59
1984 6.39 6.59
1983 6.39 6.57
1982 6.4 6.56
1981 6.4 6.55
1980 6.41 6.56
1979 6.41 6.58
1978 6.42 6.59
1977 6.43 6.57
1976 6.43 6.55
1975 6.43 6.55
1974 6.42 6.53
1973 6.41 6.47
1972 6.37 6.45
1971 6.33 6.43
1970 6.26 6.41
1969 6.25 6.39
1968 6.22 6.39
1967 6.21 6.38
1966 6.18 6.35
1965 6.19 6.31
1964 6.2 6.29
1963 6.2 6.26
1962 6.21 6.22
1961 6.23 6.21
1960 6.25 6.18

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Gambia and Sierra Leone demographics compared

Median age
Gambia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Median age, years
Gambia Sierra Leone
2024 19.4 20.5
2023 19.2 20.3
2022 19.1 20
2021 18.9 19.8
2020 18.7 19.6
2019 18.5 19.4
2018 18.4 19.2
2017 18.2 19.1
2016 18.1 18.9
2015 17.9 18.7
2014 17.8 18.6
2013 17.7 18.5
2012 17.6 18.4
2011 17.5 18.3
2010 17.4 18.2
2009 17.3 18.1
2008 17.2 18.1
2007 17.1 18
2006 17 18
2005 16.9 18
2004 16.8 17.9
2003 16.7 17.9
2002 16.6 17.9
2001 16.6 18
2000 16.5 18
1999 16.5 18
1998 16.5 18.1
1997 16.6 18.1
1996 16.7 18.2
1995 16.8 18.2
1994 16.9 18.3
1993 17 18.4
1992 17.1 18.4
1991 17.1 18.5
1990 17.2 18.5
1989 17.2 18.6
1988 17.3 18.6
1987 17.4 18.7
1986 17.4 18.7
1985 17.5 18.8
1984 17.6 18.9
1983 17.8 18.9
1982 17.9 19
1981 18.1 19.1
1980 18.2 19.1
1979 18.4 19.2
1978 18.5 19.3
1977 18.6 19.4
1976 18.8 19.5
1975 18.9 19.6
1974 19.1 19.8
1973 19.2 19.9
1972 19.3 20.1
1971 19.4 20.2
1970 19.5 20.4
1969 19.6 20.6
1968 19.7 20.7
1967 19.8 20.8
1966 19.7 20.9
1965 19.7 20.9
1964 19.6 21
1963 19.6 21
1962 19.5 21.1
1961 19.4 21.1
1960 19.4 21.1

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for the Gambia and Sierra Leone.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Gambia Sierra Leone
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$7.08B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
15.6%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.81%
2023
2.62%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.57%
2024
0.46%
2024
Armed forces personnel
4,000
2020
9,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-4.08%
2024
-4.53%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
3.19%
2018
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
25.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
56.3
2026
49.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3.4%
2018
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$433M
2024
Personal remittances received
$529M
2024
$321M
2024
International tourist arrivals
246,000
2020
71,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
30.2%
2020
5.49%
2018
Banked people share
38.2%
2024
38.6%
2024

Energy

Gambia Sierra Leone
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
75.3 kg
2007
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$26.4
2007
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0.49 megatons
2024
1.46 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.18 tons
2024
0.17 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
n/a
Renewable energy use share
47.7%
2022
71.6%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
1.6%
2021
75.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
70.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
66.9%
2023
35.5%
2023

Society

Gambia Sierra Leone
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.11%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,984
2025
-11,309
2025
Urban population
64.3%
2024
45.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.52 ft
2025
5.46 ft
2025
Average female height
5.31 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.9
2026
29.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
35
2026
20
2026
Homicides per 100K people
9.13
2015
2.14
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
29.6
2019
33
2019
Visa free countries
73
2025
66
2025
Adult literacy rate
58.7%
2022
48.6%
2022
English speaking
2.34%
2023
83.5%
2023
People using the Internet
45.9%
2023
20.6%
2023

Health

Gambia Sierra Leone
Government health expenditure per capita
$25.7
2023
$35.8
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$8.7
2023
$19.5
2023
Life expectancy
66.5 years
2026
62.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
17.4%
2023
28.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.09
2023
0.13
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.7 years
2025
19.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
354
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
44.1
2023
94.3
2023
Obesity rate
15.3%
2022
7.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.5%
2024
4.8%
2024
Air quality index
9
2026
16
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
10.5%
2022
12.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.61 liters
2020
0.29 liters
2020

Territory

Gambia Sierra Leone
% of world land
0.007%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
1,416 sq mi
2024
3,225 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
2,448 sq mi
2026
15,247 sq mi
2026
Forest area
871 sq mi
2026
9,559 sq mi
2026
Roads length
1,850 mi
2011
7,270 mi
2015

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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