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Ghana vs Sierra Leone statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a population of 34.4M (ranked 47/197), compared with 8.64M in Sierra Leone (ranked 102/197). Ghana's land area is 87,851 sq mi versus 27,869 sq mi for Sierra Leone (ranked 81st vs. 116th).

By GDP, Ghana ranks 80/197 ($82.3B) and Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B). By GDP per capita, Ghana ranks 151/197 ($2,391), while Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807).

Main facts and rankings

Ghana Sierra Leone
Population
35885254
9049533
Population rank 46/197 101/197
GDP
$82.3B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank 80/197 160/197
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank 151/197 186/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$3,522
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank 123/185 174/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,915
2026
Land area 87,851 sq mi 27,869 sq mi
Population density
407 ppl/mi²
2026
323 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.4
2023
3.79
2023
Median age
22.2 years
2024
20.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.1 years
2026
62.3 years
2026

Ghana and Sierra Leone: Comparison Charts

Ghana and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP
Ghana Sierra Leone
2024 $82,308,110,386 $6,971,127,235
2023 $80,547,146,878 $6,415,852,767
2022 $73,919,003,210 $7,121,125,278
2021 $79,514,204,730 $7,166,931,485
2020 $70,008,243,860 $6,688,307,703
2019 $68,352,629,246 $6,523,577,594
2018 $67,259,353,966 $6,390,514,689
2017 $60,385,409,435 $5,749,846,528
2016 $56,144,179,398 $6,084,297,211
2015 $49,436,806,230 $6,788,352,975
2014 $54,678,533,806 $7,686,138,791
2013 $62,845,721,960 $7,502,762,863
2012 $41,271,701,061 $6,141,666,509
2011 $39,336,668,081 $4,861,632,885
2010 $32,197,655,567 $4,262,805,967
2009 $26,048,720,006 $3,953,403,098
2008 $28,679,383,241 $4,157,895,298
2007 $24,827,339,138 $3,632,957,611
2006 $20,885,037,597 $3,263,697,467
2005 $10,744,568,381 $2,545,275,313
2004 $8,881,417,907 $2,237,350,687
2003 $7,632,723,556 $2,142,618,046
2002 $6,166,197,848 $1,933,863,911
2001 $5,314,872,854 $1,681,473,894
2000 $4,982,850,662 $635,866,404
1999 $7,718,109,982 $669,386,624
1998 $7,482,069,162 $672,368,187
1997 $6,891,443,192 $850,232,760
1996 $6,932,991,739 $941,709,423
1995 $6,464,382,808 $870,740,292
1994 $5,446,383,727 $911,853,802
1993 $5,968,922,939 $768,867,883
1992 $6,416,103,926 $679,940,814
1991 $6,603,185,268 $779,981,987
1990 $5,889,106,573 $649,644,098
1989 $5,251,858,440 $932,974,420
1988 $5,197,765,032 $1,055,083,933
1987 $5,074,829,932 $660,106,336
1986 $5,735,677,434 $490,181,457
1985 $4,504,306,723 $856,890,459
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,087,471,862
1983 $4,057,275,132 $995,104,305
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,295,361,886
1981 $4,222,441,860 $1,114,830,472
1980 $4,445,228,216 $1,100,685,845
1979 $4,020,227,920 $1,109,374,911
1978 $3,662,478,185 $960,728,339
1977 $3,189,428,571 $691,777,584
1976 $2,765,254,237 $594,895,942
1975 $2,810,106,383 $679,336,344
1974 $2,894,409,938 $648,590,643
1973 $3,006,766,758 $575,230,724
1972 $2,112,293,280 $465,381,340
1971 $2,417,108,578 $419,549,305
1970 $2,215,028,588 $434,410,974
1969 $1,962,050,556 $408,690,163
1968 $1,666,909,518 $329,859,732
1967 $1,747,187,645 $348,795,303
1966 $2,126,300,672 $375,479,850
1965 $2,053,462,968 $359,379,856
1964 $1,731,296,200 $371,847,461
1963 $1,540,797,589 $348,547,279
1962 $1,382,515,654 $342,721,416
1961 $1,302,674,325 $327,834,191
1960 $1,217,230,095 $322,009,962

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

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

Ghana and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP per capita
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP per capita
Ghana Sierra Leone
2024 $2,391 $807
2023 $2,384 $758
2022 $2,230 $860
2021 $2,445 $885
2020 $2,195 $845
2019 $2,187 $844
2018 $2,195 $846
2017 $2,012 $779
2016 $1,912 $844
2015 $1,723 $965
2014 $1,950 $1,118
2013 $2,295 $1,117
2012 $1,544 $938
2011 $1,507 $761
2010 $1,264 $685
2009 $1,048 $653
2008 $1,183 $705
2007 $1,050 $632
2006 $906 $580
2005 $479 $463
2004 $406 $418
2003 $358 $414
2002 $297.5 $389
2001 $263.5 $358
2000 $253.7 $143.7
1999 $403 $155
1998 $400 $156.5
1997 $378 $199.9
1996 $389 $224.3
1995 $372 $208.4
1994 $321 $218.5
1993 $360 $185
1992 $396 $163.2
1991 $418 $183.7
1990 $383 $154.8
1989 $350 $231.3
1988 $355 $268.2
1987 $355 $172.4
1986 $411 $131.5
1985 $330 $235.5
1984 $330 $306
1983 $311 $285.8
1982 $319 $380
1981 $344 $334
1980 $372 $336
1979 $347 $346
1978 $326 $305
1977 $292.3 $224.2
1976 $261 $196.4
1975 $273 $228.4
1974 $289.4 $222.1
1973 $310 $200.6
1972 $223.8 $165.4
1971 $263.4 $151.8
1970 $248.2 $160.2
1969 $225.8 $153.6
1968 $196.7 $126.3
1967 $211.2 $136.1
1966 $263.3 $149.3
1965 $260.5 $145.6
1964 $225 $153.4
1963 $205 $146.3
1962 $188.4 $146.3
1961 $181.9 $142.3
1960 $174.9 $142

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

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

Ghana vs. Sierra Leone life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Ghana Sierra Leone
2026 66.1 62.3
2025 65.9 62.2
2024 65.7 62
2023 65.5 61.8
2022 65.2 61.3
2021 64.3 60.3
2020 64.3 59.7
2019 64.5 59.6
2018 64.1 59.1
2017 63.8 57.8
2016 63.5 56.9
2015 63.2 55.5
2014 62.8 54.3
2013 62.4 54.1
2012 62 53.2
2011 61.6 52.6
2010 61.3 51.9
2009 60.9 51.3
2008 60.6 50.7
2007 60.3 50
2006 60 49.5
2005 59.6 48.3
2004 59.3 47.5
2003 59 46.8
2002 58.7 46.2
2001 58.4 45.4
2000 58.1 44.8
1999 57.8 42
1998 57.5 42.7
1997 57.2 43.6
1996 57 43.5
1995 56.7 42.6
1994 56.2 42.8
1993 56.3 43.4
1992 56.1 43.5
1991 55.7 43.3
1990 55.4 43.7
1989 54.9 43.7
1988 54.4 43.8
1987 53.8 43.7
1986 53.3 43.5
1985 52.7 43.6
1984 52.2 43.6
1983 51.8 43.5
1982 51.4 43.3
1981 51.3 43.1
1980 51.1 42.8
1979 50.8 42.5
1978 50.5 42.2
1977 50.1 41.8
1976 49.7 41.4
1975 49.3 41
1974 48.9 40.4
1973 48.6 40
1972 48.3 39.5
1971 47.9 39.1
1970 47.9 38.6
1969 47.9 38.2
1968 47.8 37.8
1967 47.7 37.3
1966 47.7 36.6
1965 47.7 35.9
1964 47.6 35.3
1963 47.5 34.7
1962 47.3 34.2
1961 47.1 33.6
1960 46.9 33.1
1959 46.7 32.6
1958 46.4 32.1
1957 46.1 31.8
1956 45.7 31.3
1955 45.4 30.9
1954 45 30.5
1953 44.5 30.1
1952 44 29.7
1951 43.6 29.3
1950 43.1 28.9

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

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

Ghana and Sierra Leone population clocks and comparison

Population
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Population
Ghana Sierra Leone
2024 34,427,414 8,642,022
2023 33,787,914 8,460,512
2022 33,149,152 8,276,807
2021 32,518,665 8,094,602
2020 31,887,809 7,912,558
2019 31,258,945 7,731,991
2018 30,637,585 7,554,563
2017 30,008,354 7,379,299
2016 29,356,742 7,205,328
2015 28,696,068 7,037,655
2014 28,041,592 6,876,385
2013 27,386,193 6,714,051
2012 26,734,268 6,551,080
2011 26,095,088 6,387,251
2010 25,474,995 6,222,714
2009 24,862,664 6,055,646
2008 24,249,946 5,894,722
2007 23,642,279 5,749,352
2006 23,040,702 5,624,466
2005 22,449,438 5,501,712
2004 21,868,298 5,355,717
2003 21,296,705 5,177,687
2002 20,729,388 4,971,435
2001 20,167,069 4,692,716
2000 19,637,087 4,423,611
1999 19,149,864 4,318,043
1998 18,688,036 4,295,785
1997 18,238,958 4,253,716
1996 17,810,181 4,199,210
1995 17,399,017 4,179,179
1994 16,993,190 4,173,105
1993 16,589,519 4,157,130
1992 16,184,855 4,166,366
1991 15,787,496 4,246,267
1990 15,394,648 4,196,828
1989 15,006,813 4,034,037
1988 14,636,568 3,934,517
1987 14,289,108 3,829,718
1986 13,965,217 3,728,380
1985 13,661,229 3,638,438
1984 13,370,590 3,558,758
1983 13,029,836 3,481,646
1982 12,643,819 3,408,183
1981 12,281,712 3,338,940
1980 11,941,448 3,272,089
1979 11,597,255 3,207,499
1978 11,248,450 3,145,517
1977 10,911,871 3,085,354
1976 10,594,913 3,028,820
1975 10,294,308 2,974,657
1974 10,000,523 2,920,459
1973 9,714,617 2,866,955
1972 9,438,187 2,814,388
1971 9,176,264 2,763,222
1970 8,925,813 2,712,286
1969 8,690,383 2,661,365
1968 8,475,729 2,611,532
1967 8,271,913 2,562,384
1966 8,074,521 2,514,638
1965 7,882,606 2,468,666
1964 7,695,739 2,424,390
1963 7,514,714 2,382,258
1962 7,337,375 2,342,242
1961 7,162,667 2,304,227
1960 6,961,215 2,268,356

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

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

Fertility rates in Ghana and Sierra Leone

Fertility rate
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ghana Sierra Leone
2023 3.4 3.79
2022 3.43 3.88
2021 3.49 3.98
2020 3.54 4.08
2019 3.59 4.19
2018 3.65 4.29
2017 3.72 4.39
2016 3.87 4.47
2015 3.98 4.55
2014 4.03 4.7
2013 4.11 4.87
2012 4.15 5.06
2011 4.18 5.21
2010 4.18 5.33
2009 4.18 5.45
2008 4.22 5.56
2007 4.29 5.64
2006 4.4 5.74
2005 4.5 5.81
2004 4.5 5.92
2003 4.6 6.09
2002 4.69 6.23
2001 4.77 6.31
2000 4.83 6.36
1999 4.82 6.42
1998 4.83 6.5
1997 4.88 6.53
1996 4.96 6.55
1995 5.11 6.56
1994 5.25 6.56
1993 5.41 6.57
1992 5.52 6.56
1991 5.63 6.55
1990 5.74 6.57
1989 5.82 6.57
1988 5.92 6.59
1987 6.02 6.61
1986 6.08 6.6
1985 6.12 6.59
1984 6.15 6.59
1983 6.23 6.57
1982 6.31 6.56
1981 6.42 6.55
1980 6.47 6.56
1979 6.51 6.58
1978 6.56 6.59
1977 6.64 6.57
1976 6.7 6.55
1975 6.76 6.55
1974 6.82 6.53
1973 6.87 6.47
1972 6.92 6.45
1971 6.95 6.43
1970 6.95 6.41
1969 6.95 6.39
1968 6.89 6.39
1967 6.89 6.38
1966 6.86 6.35
1965 6.88 6.31
1964 6.9 6.29
1963 6.94 6.26
1962 6.94 6.22
1961 6.91 6.21
1960 6.89 6.18

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

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

Ghana and Sierra Leone demographics compared

Median age
Ghana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Median age, years
Ghana Sierra Leone
2024 22.2 20.5
2023 22 20.3
2022 21.8 20
2021 21.7 19.8
2020 21.5 19.6
2019 21.3 19.4
2018 21.2 19.2
2017 21 19.1
2016 20.9 18.9
2015 20.8 18.7
2014 20.7 18.6
2013 20.6 18.5
2012 20.5 18.4
2011 20.3 18.3
2010 20.2 18.2
2009 20 18.1
2008 19.9 18.1
2007 19.7 18
2006 19.5 18
2005 19.3 18
2004 19.1 17.9
2003 19 17.9
2002 18.8 17.9
2001 18.6 18
2000 18.4 18
1999 18.3 18
1998 18.1 18.1
1997 17.9 18.1
1996 17.7 18.2
1995 17.6 18.2
1994 17.5 18.3
1993 17.4 18.4
1992 17.3 18.4
1991 17.2 18.5
1990 17.2 18.5
1989 17.1 18.6
1988 17.1 18.6
1987 17.1 18.7
1986 17.1 18.7
1985 17.1 18.8
1984 17.1 18.9
1983 17 18.9
1982 16.9 19
1981 16.7 19.1
1980 16.7 19.1
1979 16.5 19.2
1978 16.4 19.3
1977 16.2 19.4
1976 16 19.5
1975 15.9 19.6
1974 15.8 19.8
1973 15.8 19.9
1972 15.8 20.1
1971 15.9 20.2
1970 15.9 20.4
1969 16 20.6
1968 16.1 20.7
1967 16.2 20.8
1966 16.4 20.9
1965 16.5 20.9
1964 16.7 21
1963 16.9 21
1962 17.2 21.1
1961 17.4 21.1
1960 17.7 21.1

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Ghana Sierra Leone
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$7.08B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
15.6%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.91%
2022
2.62%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.38%
2024
0.46%
2024
Armed forces personnel
16,000
2020
9,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.31%
2024
-4.53%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
3.19%
2018
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
25.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
57.3
2026
49.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.4%
2018
Listed domestic companies
30
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$433M
2024
Personal remittances received
$3.03B
2024
$321M
2024
International tourist arrivals
897,000
2015
71,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
0.87%
2020
5.49%
2018
Banked people share
81.2%
2024
38.6%
2024

Energy

Ghana Sierra Leone
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
359 kg
2022
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$20.1
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
24.2 megatons
2024
1.46 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.7 tons
2024
0.17 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
62%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
39%
2021
71.6%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
6.03%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-22.4%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
553 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
34.9%
2021
75.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
35.4%
2022
70.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
89.5%
2023
35.5%
2023

Society

Ghana Sierra Leone
% of world population
0.42%
2024
0.11%
2024
Annual migration change
-17,079
2025
-11,309
2025
Urban population
58.4%
2024
45.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.59 ft
2025
5.46 ft
2025
Average female height
5.21 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
41.8
2026
29.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
43
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
65
2026
20
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.81
2022
2.14
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
25.7
2019
33
2019
Visa free countries
75
2025
66
2025
Adult literacy rate
76.5%
2021
48.6%
2022
English speaking
66.7%
2023
83.5%
2023
People using the Internet
69.9%
2023
20.6%
2023

Health

Ghana Sierra Leone
Government health expenditure per capita
$70.3
2023
$35.8
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$18.7
2023
$19.5
2023
Life expectancy
66.1 years
2026
62.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
8.53%
2023
28.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.27
2023
0.13
2022
Age at first childbirth
22.1 years
2025
19.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
234
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
37.1
2023
94.3
2023
Obesity rate
13.3%
2022
7.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
2.7%
2024
4.8%
2024
Air quality index
21
2026
16
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
3.4%
2022
12.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.26 liters
2020
0.29 liters
2020

Territory

Ghana Sierra Leone
% of world land
0.15%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
2,552 sq mi
2024
3,225 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
48,663 sq mi
2026
15,247 sq mi
2026
Forest area
30,917 sq mi
2026
9,559 sq mi
2026
Roads length
68,049 mi
2009
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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