Sierra Leone has a population of 8.64M (ranked 102/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Sierra Leone's land area is 27,869 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 116th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
9049533
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 101/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$6.97B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 160/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$807
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 186/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$3,522
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$2.91B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
41.7%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$337
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 174/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,915
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 27,869 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
323 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
3.79
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
20.5 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
62.3 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Sierra Leone and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Sierra Leone and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $6,971,127,235 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $6,415,852,767 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $7,121,125,278 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $7,166,931,485 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $6,688,307,703 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $6,523,577,594 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $6,390,514,689 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $5,749,846,528 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $6,084,297,211 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $6,788,352,975 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $7,686,138,791 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $7,502,762,863 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $6,141,666,509 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $4,861,632,885 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $4,262,805,967 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $3,953,403,098 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $4,157,895,298 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $3,632,957,611 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $3,263,697,467 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $2,545,275,313 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $2,237,350,687 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $2,142,618,046 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $1,933,863,911 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $1,681,473,894 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $635,866,404 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $669,386,624 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $672,368,187 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $850,232,760 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $941,709,423 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $870,740,292 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $911,853,802 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $768,867,883 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $679,940,814 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $779,981,987 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $649,644,098 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $932,974,420 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $1,055,083,933 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $660,106,336 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $490,181,457 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $856,890,459 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $1,087,471,862 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $995,104,305 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $1,295,361,886 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $1,114,830,472 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $1,100,685,845 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $1,109,374,911 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $960,728,339 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $691,777,584 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $594,895,942 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $679,336,344 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $648,590,643 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $575,230,724 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $465,381,340 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $419,549,305 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $434,410,974 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $408,690,163 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $329,859,732 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $348,795,303 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $375,479,850 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $359,379,856 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $371,847,461 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $348,547,279 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $342,721,416 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $327,834,191 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $322,009,962 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY 
Sierra Leone and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $807 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $758 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $860 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $885 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $845 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $844 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $846 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $779 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $844 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $965 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,118 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,117 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $938 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $761 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $685 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $653 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $705 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $632 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $580 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $463 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $418 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $414 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $389 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $358 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $143.7 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $155 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $156.5 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $199.9 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $224.3 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $208.4 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $218.5 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $185 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $163.2 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $183.7 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $154.8 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $231.3 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $268.2 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $172.4 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $131.5 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $235.5 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $306 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $285.8 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $380 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $334 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $336 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $346 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $305 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $224.2 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $196.4 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $228.4 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $222.1 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $200.6 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $165.4 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $151.8 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $160.2 | $952 |
| 1969 | $153.6 | $891 |
| 1968 | $126.3 | $817 |
| 1967 | $136.1 | $779 |
| 1966 | $149.3 | $722 |
| 1965 | $145.6 | $685 |
| 1964 | $153.4 | $646 |
| 1963 | $146.3 | $605 |
| 1962 | $146.3 | $563 |
| 1961 | $142.3 | $546 |
| 1960 | $142 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY
Sierra Leone vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 62.3 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 62.2 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 62 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 61.8 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 61.3 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 60.3 | 62 |
| 2020 | 59.7 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 59.6 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 59.1 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 57.8 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 56.9 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 55.5 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 54.3 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 54.1 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 53.2 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 52.6 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 51.9 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 51.3 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 50.7 | 56 |
| 2007 | 50 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 49.5 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 48.3 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 47.5 | 54 |
| 2003 | 46.8 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 46.2 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 45.4 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 44.8 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 42 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 42.7 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 43.6 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 43.5 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 42.6 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 42.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 43.4 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 43.5 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 43.3 | 63 |
| 1990 | 43.7 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 43.7 | 63 |
| 1988 | 43.8 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 43.7 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 43.5 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 43.6 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 43.6 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 43.5 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 43.3 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 43.1 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 42.8 | 60 |
| 1979 | 42.5 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 42.2 | 59 |
| 1977 | 41.8 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 41.4 | 58 |
| 1975 | 41 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 40.4 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 40 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 39.5 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 39.1 | 56 |
| 1970 | 38.6 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 38.2 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 37.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 37.3 | 55 |
| 1966 | 36.6 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 35.9 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 35.3 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 34.7 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 34.2 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 33.6 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 33.1 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 32.6 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 32.1 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 31.8 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 31.3 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 30.9 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 30.5 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 30.1 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 29.7 | 45 |
| 1951 | 29.3 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 28.9 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY
Sierra Leone and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 8,642,022 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 8,460,512 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 8,276,807 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 8,094,602 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 7,912,558 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 7,731,991 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 7,554,563 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 7,379,299 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 7,205,328 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 7,037,655 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 6,876,385 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 6,714,051 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 6,551,080 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 6,387,251 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 6,222,714 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 6,055,646 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 5,894,722 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 5,749,352 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 5,624,466 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 5,501,712 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 5,355,717 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 5,177,687 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 4,971,435 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 4,692,716 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 4,423,611 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 4,318,043 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 4,295,785 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 4,253,716 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 4,199,210 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 4,179,179 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 4,173,105 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 4,157,130 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 4,166,366 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 4,246,267 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 4,196,828 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 4,034,037 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 3,934,517 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 3,829,718 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 3,728,380 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 3,638,438 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 3,558,758 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 3,481,646 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 3,408,183 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 3,338,940 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 3,272,089 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 3,207,499 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 3,145,517 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 3,085,354 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 3,028,820 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 2,974,657 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 2,920,459 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 2,866,955 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 2,814,388 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 2,763,222 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 2,712,286 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 2,661,365 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 2,611,532 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 2,562,384 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 2,514,638 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 2,468,666 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 2,424,390 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 2,382,258 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 2,342,242 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 2,304,227 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 2,268,356 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Sierra Leone and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 3.79 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 3.88 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 3.98 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 4.08 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 4.19 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 4.29 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 4.39 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 4.47 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 4.55 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 4.7 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 4.87 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 5.06 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 5.21 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 5.33 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 5.45 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 5.56 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 5.64 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 5.74 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 5.81 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 5.92 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 6.09 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 6.23 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 6.31 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 6.36 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 6.42 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 6.5 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 6.53 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 6.55 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 6.56 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 6.56 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 6.57 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 6.56 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 6.55 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.57 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.57 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.59 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.61 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.6 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.59 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.59 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.57 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.56 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.55 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.56 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.58 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.59 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.57 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.55 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.55 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.53 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.47 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.45 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.43 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.41 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.39 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.39 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.38 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.35 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.31 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.29 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.26 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.22 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.21 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.18 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY
Sierra Leone and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 20.5 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 20.3 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 20 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 19.8 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 19.6 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 19.4 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 19.2 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 19.1 | 27 |
| 2016 | 18.9 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 18.7 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 18.6 | 26 |
| 2013 | 18.5 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 18.4 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 18.3 | 25 |
| 2010 | 18.2 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 18.1 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 18.1 | 24 |
| 2007 | 18 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 18 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 18 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 17.9 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 17.9 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 17.9 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 18 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 18 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 18 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 18.1 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 18.2 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 18.2 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 18.3 | 22 |
| 1993 | 18.4 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 18.4 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 18.5 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 18.5 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 18.6 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 18.6 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 18.7 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 18.7 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 18.8 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 18.9 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 18.9 | 20 |
| 1982 | 19 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 19.1 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 19.1 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 19.2 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 19.3 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 19.4 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 19.5 | 19 |
| 1975 | 19.6 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 19.8 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 19.9 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 20.1 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 20.2 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 20.4 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 20.6 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 20.7 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 20.8 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 20.9 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 20.9 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 21 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 21 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 21.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 21.1 | 19 |
| 1960 | 21.1 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/sierra-leone/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Sierra Leone and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$7.08B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
15.6%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.62%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.46%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
9,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-4.53%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.19%
2018 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
42.6%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
25.6%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
49.6
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
29.4%
2018 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.4%
2018 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$433M
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$321M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
71,000
2019 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
5.49%
2018 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
38.6%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita | n/a |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
1.46 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.17 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share | n/a |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
71.6%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
75.3%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
70.5%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
35.5%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.11%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-11,309
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
45.4%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.9:50.1
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.46 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.16 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
29.4
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
34
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
20
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
2.14
2020 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
33
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
66
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
48.6%
2022 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
83.5%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
20.6%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$35.8
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$19.5
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
62.3 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
28.5%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.13
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.6 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
354
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
94.3
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
7.32%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
4.8%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
16
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
12.9%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.29 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Sierra Leone
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.05%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
3,225 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
15,247 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
9,559 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
7,270 mi
2015 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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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)
- 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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