Sierra Leone is a low-income country with a population of 8.64M people. The capital and largest city is Freetown, with 951K residents. Sierra Leone shares land borders with Guinea and Liberia.
Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 by GDP ($6.97B) and 186/197 by GDP per capita ($807). The top export category is processed food, beverages & tobacco, while the top import is business & finance services.
Main facts and rankings
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Population |
9049533
|
101/197 |
| GDP |
$6.97B
2024 |
160/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$807
2024 |
186/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$3,522
2024 |
171/197 |
| Government debt |
$2.91B
2024 |
154/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
41.7%
2024 |
128/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$337
2024 |
174/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,915
2026 |
144/197 |
| Land area | 27,869 sq mi | 116/197 |
| Population density | 323 ppl/mi² | 77/197 |
| Fertility rate | 3.79 | 35/196 |
| Median age | 20.5 years | 161/196 |
| Life expectancy | 62.3 years | 186/197 |
Sierra Leone trends dashboard: time-series charts
| Year | GDP |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,971,127,235 |
| 2023 | $6,415,852,767 |
| 2022 | $7,121,125,278 |
| 2021 | $7,166,931,485 |
| 2020 | $6,688,307,703 |
| 2019 | $6,523,577,594 |
| 2018 | $6,390,514,689 |
| 2017 | $5,749,846,528 |
| 2016 | $6,084,297,211 |
| 2015 | $6,788,352,975 |
| 2014 | $7,686,138,791 |
| 2013 | $7,502,762,863 |
| 2012 | $6,141,666,509 |
| 2011 | $4,861,632,885 |
| 2010 | $4,262,805,967 |
| 2009 | $3,953,403,098 |
| 2008 | $4,157,895,298 |
| 2007 | $3,632,957,611 |
| 2006 | $3,263,697,467 |
| 2005 | $2,545,275,313 |
| 2004 | $2,237,350,687 |
| 2003 | $2,142,618,046 |
| 2002 | $1,933,863,911 |
| 2001 | $1,681,473,894 |
| 2000 | $635,866,404 |
| 1999 | $669,386,624 |
| 1998 | $672,368,187 |
| 1997 | $850,232,760 |
| 1996 | $941,709,423 |
| 1995 | $870,740,292 |
| 1994 | $911,853,802 |
| 1993 | $768,867,883 |
| 1992 | $679,940,814 |
| 1991 | $779,981,987 |
| 1990 | $649,644,098 |
| 1989 | $932,974,420 |
| 1988 | $1,055,083,933 |
| 1987 | $660,106,336 |
| 1986 | $490,181,457 |
| 1985 | $856,890,459 |
| 1984 | $1,087,471,862 |
| 1983 | $995,104,305 |
| 1982 | $1,295,361,886 |
| 1981 | $1,114,830,472 |
| 1980 | $1,100,685,845 |
| 1979 | $1,109,374,911 |
| 1978 | $960,728,339 |
| 1977 | $691,777,584 |
| 1976 | $594,895,942 |
| 1975 | $679,336,344 |
| 1974 | $648,590,643 |
| 1973 | $575,230,724 |
| 1972 | $465,381,340 |
| 1971 | $419,549,305 |
| 1970 | $434,410,974 |
| 1969 | $408,690,163 |
| 1968 | $329,859,732 |
| 1967 | $348,795,303 |
| 1966 | $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/sierra-leone | CC BY 
| Year | GDP per capita |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $807 |
| 2023 | $758 |
| 2022 | $860 |
| 2021 | $885 |
| 2020 | $845 |
| 2019 | $844 |
| 2018 | $846 |
| 2017 | $779 |
| 2016 | $844 |
| 2015 | $965 |
| 2014 | $1,118 |
| 2013 | $1,117 |
| 2012 | $938 |
| 2011 | $761 |
| 2010 | $685 |
| 2009 | $653 |
| 2008 | $705 |
| 2007 | $632 |
| 2006 | $580 |
| 2005 | $463 |
| 2004 | $418 |
| 2003 | $414 |
| 2002 | $389 |
| 2001 | $358 |
| 2000 | $143.7 |
| 1999 | $155 |
| 1998 | $156.5 |
| 1997 | $199.9 |
| 1996 | $224.3 |
| 1995 | $208.4 |
| 1994 | $218.5 |
| 1993 | $185 |
| 1992 | $163.2 |
| 1991 | $183.7 |
| 1990 | $154.8 |
| 1989 | $231.3 |
| 1988 | $268.2 |
| 1987 | $172.4 |
| 1986 | $131.5 |
| 1985 | $235.5 |
| 1984 | $306 |
| 1983 | $285.8 |
| 1982 | $380 |
| 1981 | $334 |
| 1980 | $336 |
| 1979 | $346 |
| 1978 | $305 |
| 1977 | $224.2 |
| 1976 | $196.4 |
| 1975 | $228.4 |
| 1974 | $222.1 |
| 1973 | $200.6 |
| 1972 | $165.4 |
| 1971 | $151.8 |
| 1970 | $160.2 |
| 1969 | $153.6 |
| 1968 | $126.3 |
| 1967 | $136.1 |
| 1966 | $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/sierra-leone | CC BY
Sierra Leone's life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 62.3 |
| 2025 | 62.2 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2023 | 61.8 |
| 2022 | 61.3 |
| 2021 | 60.3 |
| 2020 | 59.7 |
| 2019 | 59.6 |
| 2018 | 59.1 |
| 2017 | 57.8 |
| 2016 | 56.9 |
| 2015 | 55.5 |
| 2014 | 54.3 |
| 2013 | 54.1 |
| 2012 | 53.2 |
| 2011 | 52.6 |
| 2010 | 51.9 |
| 2009 | 51.3 |
| 2008 | 50.7 |
| 2007 | 50 |
| 2006 | 49.5 |
| 2005 | 48.3 |
| 2004 | 47.5 |
| 2003 | 46.8 |
| 2002 | 46.2 |
| 2001 | 45.4 |
| 2000 | 44.8 |
| 1999 | 42 |
| 1998 | 42.7 |
| 1997 | 43.6 |
| 1996 | 43.5 |
| 1995 | 42.6 |
| 1994 | 42.8 |
| 1993 | 43.4 |
| 1992 | 43.5 |
| 1991 | 43.3 |
| 1990 | 43.7 |
| 1989 | 43.7 |
| 1988 | 43.8 |
| 1987 | 43.7 |
| 1986 | 43.5 |
| 1985 | 43.6 |
| 1984 | 43.6 |
| 1983 | 43.5 |
| 1982 | 43.3 |
| 1981 | 43.1 |
| 1980 | 42.8 |
| 1979 | 42.5 |
| 1978 | 42.2 |
| 1977 | 41.8 |
| 1976 | 41.4 |
| 1975 | 41 |
| 1974 | 40.4 |
| 1973 | 40 |
| 1972 | 39.5 |
| 1971 | 39.1 |
| 1970 | 38.6 |
| 1969 | 38.2 |
| 1968 | 37.8 |
| 1967 | 37.3 |
| 1966 | 36.6 |
| 1965 | 35.9 |
| 1964 | 35.3 |
| 1963 | 34.7 |
| 1962 | 34.2 |
| 1961 | 33.6 |
| 1960 | 33.1 |
| 1959 | 32.6 |
| 1958 | 32.1 |
| 1957 | 31.8 |
| 1956 | 31.3 |
| 1955 | 30.9 |
| 1954 | 30.5 |
| 1953 | 30.1 |
| 1952 | 29.7 |
| 1951 | 29.3 |
| 1950 | 28.9 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone | CC BY
Sierra Leone's population clock and projection
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8,642,022 |
| 2023 | 8,460,512 |
| 2022 | 8,276,807 |
| 2021 | 8,094,602 |
| 2020 | 7,912,558 |
| 2019 | 7,731,991 |
| 2018 | 7,554,563 |
| 2017 | 7,379,299 |
| 2016 | 7,205,328 |
| 2015 | 7,037,655 |
| 2014 | 6,876,385 |
| 2013 | 6,714,051 |
| 2012 | 6,551,080 |
| 2011 | 6,387,251 |
| 2010 | 6,222,714 |
| 2009 | 6,055,646 |
| 2008 | 5,894,722 |
| 2007 | 5,749,352 |
| 2006 | 5,624,466 |
| 2005 | 5,501,712 |
| 2004 | 5,355,717 |
| 2003 | 5,177,687 |
| 2002 | 4,971,435 |
| 2001 | 4,692,716 |
| 2000 | 4,423,611 |
| 1999 | 4,318,043 |
| 1998 | 4,295,785 |
| 1997 | 4,253,716 |
| 1996 | 4,199,210 |
| 1995 | 4,179,179 |
| 1994 | 4,173,105 |
| 1993 | 4,157,130 |
| 1992 | 4,166,366 |
| 1991 | 4,246,267 |
| 1990 | 4,196,828 |
| 1989 | 4,034,037 |
| 1988 | 3,934,517 |
| 1987 | 3,829,718 |
| 1986 | 3,728,380 |
| 1985 | 3,638,438 |
| 1984 | 3,558,758 |
| 1983 | 3,481,646 |
| 1982 | 3,408,183 |
| 1981 | 3,338,940 |
| 1980 | 3,272,089 |
| 1979 | 3,207,499 |
| 1978 | 3,145,517 |
| 1977 | 3,085,354 |
| 1976 | 3,028,820 |
| 1975 | 2,974,657 |
| 1974 | 2,920,459 |
| 1973 | 2,866,955 |
| 1972 | 2,814,388 |
| 1971 | 2,763,222 |
| 1970 | 2,712,286 |
| 1969 | 2,661,365 |
| 1968 | 2,611,532 |
| 1967 | 2,562,384 |
| 1966 | 2,514,638 |
| 1965 | 2,468,666 |
| 1964 | 2,424,390 |
| 1963 | 2,382,258 |
| 1962 | 2,342,242 |
| 1961 | 2,304,227 |
| 1960 | 2,268,356 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone | CC BY
Sierra Leone's birth and fertility rates
| Year | Fertility rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.79 |
| 2022 | 3.88 |
| 2021 | 3.98 |
| 2020 | 4.08 |
| 2019 | 4.19 |
| 2018 | 4.29 |
| 2017 | 4.39 |
| 2016 | 4.47 |
| 2015 | 4.55 |
| 2014 | 4.7 |
| 2013 | 4.87 |
| 2012 | 5.06 |
| 2011 | 5.21 |
| 2010 | 5.33 |
| 2009 | 5.45 |
| 2008 | 5.56 |
| 2007 | 5.64 |
| 2006 | 5.74 |
| 2005 | 5.81 |
| 2004 | 5.92 |
| 2003 | 6.09 |
| 2002 | 6.23 |
| 2001 | 6.31 |
| 2000 | 6.36 |
| 1999 | 6.42 |
| 1998 | 6.5 |
| 1997 | 6.53 |
| 1996 | 6.55 |
| 1995 | 6.56 |
| 1994 | 6.56 |
| 1993 | 6.57 |
| 1992 | 6.56 |
| 1991 | 6.55 |
| 1990 | 6.57 |
| 1989 | 6.57 |
| 1988 | 6.59 |
| 1987 | 6.61 |
| 1986 | 6.6 |
| 1985 | 6.59 |
| 1984 | 6.59 |
| 1983 | 6.57 |
| 1982 | 6.56 |
| 1981 | 6.55 |
| 1980 | 6.56 |
| 1979 | 6.58 |
| 1978 | 6.59 |
| 1977 | 6.57 |
| 1976 | 6.55 |
| 1975 | 6.55 |
| 1974 | 6.53 |
| 1973 | 6.47 |
| 1972 | 6.45 |
| 1971 | 6.43 |
| 1970 | 6.41 |
| 1969 | 6.39 |
| 1968 | 6.39 |
| 1967 | 6.38 |
| 1966 | 6.35 |
| 1965 | 6.31 |
| 1964 | 6.29 |
| 1963 | 6.26 |
| 1962 | 6.22 |
| 1961 | 6.21 |
| 1960 | 6.18 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone | CC BY
| Year | Median age, years |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 20.5 |
| 2023 | 20.3 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 19.8 |
| 2020 | 19.6 |
| 2019 | 19.4 |
| 2018 | 19.2 |
| 2017 | 19.1 |
| 2016 | 18.9 |
| 2015 | 18.7 |
| 2014 | 18.6 |
| 2013 | 18.5 |
| 2012 | 18.4 |
| 2011 | 18.3 |
| 2010 | 18.2 |
| 2009 | 18.1 |
| 2008 | 18.1 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2004 | 17.9 |
| 2003 | 17.9 |
| 2002 | 17.9 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 1999 | 18 |
| 1998 | 18.1 |
| 1997 | 18.1 |
| 1996 | 18.2 |
| 1995 | 18.2 |
| 1994 | 18.3 |
| 1993 | 18.4 |
| 1992 | 18.4 |
| 1991 | 18.5 |
| 1990 | 18.5 |
| 1989 | 18.6 |
| 1988 | 18.6 |
| 1987 | 18.7 |
| 1986 | 18.7 |
| 1985 | 18.8 |
| 1984 | 18.9 |
| 1983 | 18.9 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1981 | 19.1 |
| 1980 | 19.1 |
| 1979 | 19.2 |
| 1978 | 19.3 |
| 1977 | 19.4 |
| 1976 | 19.5 |
| 1975 | 19.6 |
| 1974 | 19.8 |
| 1973 | 19.9 |
| 1972 | 20.1 |
| 1971 | 20.2 |
| 1970 | 20.4 |
| 1969 | 20.6 |
| 1968 | 20.7 |
| 1967 | 20.8 |
| 1966 | 20.9 |
| 1965 | 20.9 |
| 1964 | 21 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1962 | 21.1 |
| 1961 | 21.1 |
| 1960 | 21.1 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone | CC BY
Sierra Leone vs. World: Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to toggle between world maps that display different statistics comparing Sierra Leone with other countries.
Sierra Leone: National Statistics
Finance
|
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$7.08B
2024 |
155/194 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
15.6%
2024 |
181/195 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.62%
2023 |
156/193 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.46%
2024 |
153/163 |
| Armed forces personnel |
9,000
2020 |
139/174 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-4.53%
2024 |
134/188 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.19%
2018 |
149/196 |
| Services, % of GDP |
42.6%
2024 |
167/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
25.6%
2024 |
77/194 |
| Economic freedom index |
49.6
2026 |
165/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
29.4%
2018 |
70/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.4%
2018 |
42/169 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$433M
2024 |
160/177 |
| Personal remittances received |
$321M
2024 |
127/191 |
| International tourist arrivals |
71,000
2019 |
170/188 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
5.49%
2018 |
90/184 |
| Banked people share |
38.6%
2024 |
132/158 |
Energy
|
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
1.46 megatons
2024 |
154/187 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.17 tons
2024 |
172/187 |
| Renewable energy use share |
71.6%
2022 |
25/193 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
75.3%
2021 |
37/192 |
| Hydroelectric share |
70.5%
2021 |
25/192 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
165/192 |
| Electricity access |
35.5%
2023 |
185/195 |
Society
|
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.11%
2024 |
102/197 |
| Annual migration change |
-11,309
2025 |
136/196 |
| Urban population |
45.4%
2024 |
140/195 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.9:50.1
2024 |
N/A |
| Average male height |
5.46 ft
2025 |
171/190 |
| Average female height |
5.16 ft
2025 |
151/190 |
| Quality of life index |
29.4
2026 |
158/197 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
34
2025 |
129/197 |
| Higher education index |
20
2026 |
149/183 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
2.14
2020 |
116/197 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
33
2019 |
14/197 |
| Visa free countries |
66
2025 |
149/195 |
| Adult literacy rate |
48.6%
2022 |
187/196 |
| English speaking |
83.5%
2023 |
29/197 |
| People using the Internet |
20.6%
2023 |
181/195 |
Health
|
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$35.8
2023 |
179/192 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$19.5
2023 |
162/192 |
| Life expectancy |
62.3 years
2026 |
186/197 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
28.5%
2023 |
21/181 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.13
2022 |
178/193 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.6 years
2025 |
121/137 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
354
2023 |
20/193 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
94.3
2023 |
7/192 |
| Obesity rate |
7.32%
2022 |
173/189 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
4.8%
2024 |
173/195 |
| Air quality index |
16
2026 |
167/197 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
12.9%
2022 |
114/164 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.29 liters
2020 |
167/186 |
Territory
|
Sierra Leone
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.05%
2026 |
116/197 |
| Land area per capita |
3,225 sq mi
2024 |
121/197 |
| Agricultural land area |
15,247 sq mi
2026 |
96/194 |
| Forest area |
9,559 sq mi
2026 |
98/196 |
| Roads length |
7,270 mi
2015 |
118/176 |
Compare Sierra Leone with other countries
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- Wikidata (2014, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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