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Sierra Leone vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a population of 8.64M (ranked 102/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Sierra Leone's land area is 27,869 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 116th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Sierra Leone Zambia
Population
9049533
22697916
Population rank 101/197 62/197
GDP
$6.97B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 160/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 186/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 174/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 27,869 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
323 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.79
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
20.5 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
62.3 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Sierra Leone and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Sierra Leone and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Sierra Leone Zambia
2024 $6,971,127,235 $25,303,185,342
2023 $6,415,852,767 $27,577,956,471
2022 $7,121,125,278 $29,163,782,140
2021 $7,166,931,485 $22,096,416,932
2020 $6,688,307,703 $18,137,764,931
2019 $6,523,577,594 $23,308,667,781
2018 $6,390,514,689 $26,311,507,274
2017 $5,749,846,528 $25,873,601,261
2016 $6,084,297,211 $20,958,412,538
2015 $6,788,352,975 $21,251,216,799
2014 $7,686,138,791 $27,141,023,558
2013 $7,502,762,863 $28,037,239,463
2012 $6,141,666,509 $25,503,060,420
2011 $4,861,632,885 $23,459,515,276
2010 $4,262,805,967 $20,265,559,484
2009 $3,953,403,098 $15,328,342,304
2008 $4,157,895,298 $17,910,858,638
2007 $3,632,957,611 $14,056,957,976
2006 $3,263,697,467 $12,756,858,899
2005 $2,545,275,313 $8,331,870,169
2004 $2,237,350,687 $6,221,110,219
2003 $2,142,618,046 $4,901,869,764
2002 $1,933,863,911 $4,193,850,445
2001 $1,681,473,894 $4,094,441,301
2000 $635,866,404 $3,600,632,111
1999 $669,386,624 $3,404,284,891
1998 $672,368,187 $3,537,741,942
1997 $850,232,760 $4,303,288,480
1996 $941,709,423 $3,597,220,962
1995 $870,740,292 $3,806,983,413
1994 $911,853,802 $3,656,806,166
1993 $768,867,883 $3,273,505,344
1992 $679,940,814 $3,182,810,841
1991 $779,981,987 $3,376,806,697
1990 $649,644,098 $3,288,381,797
1989 $932,974,420 $3,994,673,161
1988 $1,055,083,933 $3,728,878,149
1987 $660,106,336 $2,265,250,972
1986 $490,181,457 $1,664,413,508
1985 $856,890,459 $2,252,454,500
1984 $1,087,471,862 $2,719,518,933
1983 $995,104,305 $3,321,048,451
1982 $1,295,361,886 $3,871,117,093
1981 $1,114,830,472 $4,008,126,497
1980 $1,100,685,845 $3,884,530,854
1979 $1,109,374,911 $3,353,445,378
1978 $960,728,339 $2,811,032,473
1977 $691,777,584 $2,515,296,940
1976 $594,895,942 $2,742,859,263
1975 $679,336,344 $2,442,672,141
1974 $648,590,643 $2,910,981,262
1973 $575,230,724 $2,434,255,237
1972 $465,381,340 $1,872,416,680
1971 $419,549,305 $1,653,259,341
1970 $434,410,974 $1,788,779,285
1969 $408,690,163 $1,926,399,230
1968 $329,859,732 $1,573,739,371
1967 $348,795,303 $1,340,639,464
1966 $375,479,850 $1,238,999,505
1965 $359,379,856 $1,061,199,576
1964 $371,847,461 $822,639,671
1963 $348,547,279 $704,339,719
1962 $342,721,416 $679,279,729
1961 $327,834,191 $682,359,727
1960 $322,009,962 $698,739,721

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

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

Sierra Leone and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Sierra Leone Zambia
2024 $807 $1,187
2023 $758 $1,331
2022 $860 $1,447
2021 $885 $1,127
2020 $845 $952
2019 $844 $1,259
2018 $846 $1,464
2017 $779 $1,483
2016 $844 $1,239
2015 $965 $1,296
2014 $1,118 $1,707
2013 $1,117 $1,821
2012 $938 $1,710
2011 $761 $1,625
2010 $685 $1,451
2009 $653 $1,136
2008 $705 $1,376
2007 $632 $1,119
2006 $580 $1,052
2005 $463 $711
2004 $418 $549
2003 $414 $446
2002 $389 $394
2001 $358 $397
2000 $143.7 $359
1999 $155 $350
1998 $156.5 $373
1997 $199.9 $466
1996 $224.3 $400
1995 $208.4 $433
1994 $218.5 $426
1993 $185 $391
1992 $163.2 $389
1991 $183.7 $423
1990 $154.8 $422
1989 $231.3 $526
1988 $268.2 $504
1987 $172.4 $315
1986 $131.5 $238.2
1985 $235.5 $332
1984 $306 $413
1983 $285.8 $520
1982 $380 $627
1981 $334 $670
1980 $336 $669
1979 $346 $595
1978 $305 $514
1977 $224.2 $474
1976 $196.4 $533
1975 $228.4 $490
1974 $222.1 $601
1973 $200.6 $518
1972 $165.4 $410
1971 $151.8 $372
1970 $160.2 $414
1969 $153.6 $459
1968 $126.3 $387
1967 $136.1 $341
1966 $149.3 $325
1965 $145.6 $287.4
1964 $153.4 $230
1963 $146.3 $203.2
1962 $146.3 $202.3
1961 $142.3 $209.7
1960 $142 $221.6

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

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

Sierra Leone vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Sierra Leone Zambia
2026 62.3 66.9
2025 62.2 66.7
2024 62 66.5
2023 61.8 66.3
2022 61.3 65.3
2021 60.3 62.4
2020 59.7 63.4
2019 59.6 62.9
2018 59.1 62.1
2017 57.8 61.6
2016 56.9 61.1
2015 55.5 60.7
2014 54.3 60.1
2013 54.1 59.4
2012 53.2 58.7
2011 52.6 57.8
2010 51.9 56.9
2009 51.3 55.9
2008 50.7 54.8
2007 50 53.7
2006 49.5 52.7
2005 48.3 51.6
2004 47.5 50.5
2003 46.8 49.6
2002 46.2 48.5
2001 45.4 47.4
2000 44.8 46.6
1999 42 45.9
1998 42.7 45.7
1997 43.6 45.7
1996 43.5 45.8
1995 42.6 46.1
1994 42.8 46.3
1993 43.4 46.7
1992 43.5 47
1991 43.3 47.4
1990 43.7 48.2
1989 43.7 48.9
1988 43.8 49.7
1987 43.7 50.4
1986 43.5 51.1
1985 43.6 52
1984 43.6 52.9
1983 43.5 53.7
1982 43.3 54.4
1981 43.1 55
1980 42.8 55.5
1979 42.5 56
1978 42.2 56.3
1977 41.8 56.3
1976 41.4 56.1
1975 41 55.7
1974 40.4 55.4
1973 40 54.9
1972 39.5 54.4
1971 39.1 53.9
1970 38.6 53.4
1969 38.2 53
1968 37.8 52.7
1967 37.3 52.5
1966 36.6 52.3
1965 35.9 52.1
1964 35.3 51.2
1963 34.7 51.6
1962 34.2 51.3
1961 33.6 51
1960 33.1 50.6
1959 32.6 50.3
1958 32.1 49.9
1957 31.8 49.5
1956 31.3 49.1
1955 30.9 48.8
1954 30.5 48.4
1953 30.1 48
1952 29.7 47.6
1951 29.3 47.2
1950 28.9 46.8

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

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

Sierra Leone and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Sierra Leone Zambia
2024 8,642,022 21,314,956
2023 8,460,512 20,723,965
2022 8,276,807 20,152,938
2021 8,094,602 19,603,607
2020 7,912,558 19,059,395
2019 7,731,991 18,513,839
2018 7,554,563 17,973,569
2017 7,379,299 17,441,320
2016 7,205,328 16,914,423
2015 7,037,655 16,399,089
2014 6,876,385 15,895,315
2013 6,714,051 15,398,997
2012 6,551,080 14,913,629
2011 6,387,251 14,437,796
2010 6,222,714 13,965,594
2009 6,055,646 13,490,389
2008 5,894,722 13,021,324
2007 5,749,352 12,565,085
2006 5,624,466 12,129,553
2005 5,501,712 11,718,819
2004 5,355,717 11,338,198
2003 5,177,687 10,983,595
2002 4,971,435 10,647,949
2001 4,692,716 10,325,185
2000 4,423,611 10,017,631
1999 4,318,043 9,740,005
1998 4,295,785 9,482,408
1997 4,253,716 9,237,063
1996 4,199,210 9,004,053
1995 4,179,179 8,785,763
1994 4,173,105 8,576,269
1993 4,157,130 8,373,921
1992 4,166,366 8,176,680
1991 4,246,267 7,981,650
1990 4,196,828 7,786,169
1989 4,034,037 7,589,216
1988 3,934,517 7,391,440
1987 3,829,718 7,191,282
1986 3,728,380 6,986,471
1985 3,638,438 6,780,953
1984 3,558,758 6,580,490
1983 3,481,646 6,381,038
1982 3,408,183 6,178,637
1981 3,338,940 5,983,289
1980 3,272,089 5,802,833
1979 3,207,499 5,631,728
1978 3,145,517 5,465,374
1977 3,085,354 5,302,480
1976 3,028,820 5,143,842
1975 2,974,657 4,990,086
1974 2,920,459 4,842,746
1973 2,866,955 4,702,693
1972 2,814,388 4,569,309
1971 2,763,222 4,442,525
1970 2,712,286 4,321,718
1969 2,661,365 4,197,116
1968 2,611,532 4,065,593
1967 2,562,384 3,936,343
1966 2,514,638 3,812,003
1965 2,468,666 3,692,086
1964 2,424,390 3,577,017
1963 2,382,258 3,465,907
1962 2,342,242 3,358,099
1961 2,304,227 3,254,086
1960 2,268,356 3,153,729

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

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

Fertility rates in Sierra Leone and Zambia

Fertility rate
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Sierra Leone Zambia
2023 3.79 4.1
2022 3.88 4.18
2021 3.98 4.25
2020 4.08 4.32
2019 4.19 4.42
2018 4.29 4.49
2017 4.39 4.57
2016 4.47 4.67
2015 4.55 4.78
2014 4.7 4.89
2013 4.87 5.01
2012 5.06 5.14
2011 5.21 5.26
2010 5.33 5.36
2009 5.45 5.45
2008 5.56 5.53
2007 5.64 5.61
2006 5.74 5.68
2005 5.81 5.7
2004 5.92 5.7
2003 6.09 5.71
2002 6.23 5.77
2001 6.31 5.85
2000 6.36 5.92
1999 6.42 6
1998 6.5 6.07
1997 6.53 6.12
1996 6.55 6.18
1995 6.56 6.23
1994 6.56 6.26
1993 6.57 6.3
1992 6.56 6.35
1991 6.55 6.46
1990 6.57 6.57
1989 6.57 6.64
1988 6.59 6.7
1987 6.61 6.8
1986 6.6 6.87
1985 6.59 6.93
1984 6.59 6.97
1983 6.57 7.01
1982 6.56 7.04
1981 6.55 7.07
1980 6.56 7.14
1979 6.58 7.22
1978 6.59 7.29
1977 6.57 7.35
1976 6.55 7.39
1975 6.55 7.42
1974 6.53 7.36
1973 6.47 7.34
1972 6.45 7.3
1971 6.43 7.26
1970 6.41 7.22
1969 6.39 7.18
1968 6.39 7.18
1967 6.38 7.15
1966 6.35 7.14
1965 6.31 7.12
1964 6.29 7.09
1963 6.26 7.06
1962 6.22 7.01
1961 6.21 6.98
1960 6.18 6.95

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

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

Sierra Leone and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Sierra Leone

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Sierra Leone Zambia
2024 20.5 18.8
2023 20.3 18.6
2022 20 18.4
2021 19.8 18.2
2020 19.6 18
2019 19.4 17.9
2018 19.2 17.7
2017 19.1 17.5
2016 18.9 17.4
2015 18.7 17.2
2014 18.6 17.1
2013 18.5 17
2012 18.4 16.9
2011 18.3 16.8
2010 18.2 16.7
2009 18.1 16.6
2008 18.1 16.5
2007 18 16.4
2006 18 16.3
2005 18 16.3
2004 17.9 16.2
2003 17.9 16.1
2002 17.9 16
2001 18 15.9
2000 18 15.9
1999 18 15.8
1998 18.1 15.8
1997 18.1 15.8
1996 18.2 15.8
1995 18.2 15.8
1994 18.3 15.8
1993 18.4 15.8
1992 18.4 15.8
1991 18.5 15.7
1990 18.5 15.7
1989 18.6 15.7
1988 18.6 15.6
1987 18.7 15.6
1986 18.7 15.5
1985 18.8 15.5
1984 18.9 15.4
1983 18.9 15.4
1982 19 15.3
1981 19.1 15.3
1980 19.1 15.2
1979 19.2 15.3
1978 19.3 15.3
1977 19.4 15.4
1976 19.5 15.4
1975 19.6 15.5
1974 19.8 15.7
1973 19.9 15.8
1972 20.1 15.9
1971 20.2 16.1
1970 20.4 16.2
1969 20.6 16.4
1968 20.7 16.4
1967 20.8 16.5
1966 20.9 16.5
1965 20.9 16.6
1964 21 16.6
1963 21 16.7
1962 21.1 16.8
1961 21.1 16.9
1960 21.1 17

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Sierra Leone Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.62%
2023
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.46%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-4.53%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
49.6
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies n/a
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$321M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
71,000
2019
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.49%
2018
n/a
Banked people share
38.6%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Sierra Leone Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1.46 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.17 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
71.6%
2022
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
75.3%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
70.5%
2021
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
35.5%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Sierra Leone Zambia
% of world population
0.11%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
-11,309
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
45.4%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.46 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.16 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
29.4
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
2.14
2020
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
66
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
48.6%
2022
82%
2023
English speaking
83.5%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
20.6%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Sierra Leone Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$35.8
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$19.5
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
62.3 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
28.5%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.13
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.6 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
354
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
94.3
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
7.32%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.8%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
16
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
12.9%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.29 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Sierra Leone Zambia
% of world land
0.05%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
3,225 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
15,247 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
9,559 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
7,270 mi
2015
42,049 mi
2018

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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