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Home » Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

NyongesaSande News Desk by NyongesaSande News Desk
12 months ago
in CIA World Factbook
Reading Time: 34 mins read
A A
Flag of Sierra Leone

Flag of Sierra Leone

Continuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the area now known as Sierra Leone is covered with dense jungle that allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invading West African empires. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, after the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for Black British loyalists from the new United States. When Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland.

  • Geography
    • Location
    • Geographic coordinates
    • Map references
    • Area
    • Area – comparative
    • Land boundaries
    • Coastline
    • Maritime claims
    • Climate
    • Terrain
    • Elevation
    • Natural resources
    • Land use
    • Irrigated land
    • Major watersheds (area sq km)
    • Population distribution
    • Natural hazards
    • Geography – note
  • People and Society
    • Population
    • Nationality
    • Ethnic groups
    • Languages
    • Religions
    • Age structure
    • Dependency ratios
    • Median age
    • Population growth rate
    • Birth rate
    • Death rate
    • Net migration rate
    • Population distribution
    • Urbanization
    • Major urban areas – population
    • Sex ratio
    • Mother’s mean age at first birth
    • Maternal mortality ratio
    • Infant mortality rate
    • Life expectancy at birth
    • Total fertility rate
    • Gross reproduction rate
    • Contraceptive prevalence rate
    • Drinking water source
    • Health expenditure
    • Physician density
    • Sanitation facility access
    • Obesity – adult prevalence rate
    • Alcohol consumption per capita
    • Tobacco use
    • Children under the age of 5 years underweight
    • Currently married women (ages 15-49)
    • Child marriage
    • Education expenditure
    • Literacy
  • Environment
    • Environment – current issues
    • Environment – international agreements
    • Climate
    • Land use
    • Urbanization
    • Air pollutants
    • Waste and recycling
    • Major watersheds (area sq km)
    • Total water withdrawal
    • Total renewable water resources
  • Government
    • Country name
    • Government type
    • Capital
    • Administrative divisions
    • Legal system
    • Constitution
    • International law organization participation
    • Citizenship
    • Suffrage
    • Executive branch
    • Legislative branch
    • Judicial branch
    • Political parties
    • Diplomatic representation in the US
    • Diplomatic representation from the US
    • International organization participation
    • Independence
    • National holiday
    • Flag description
    • National symbol(s)
    • National colors
    • National anthem
  • Economy
    • Economic overview
    • Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
    • Real GDP growth rate
    • Real GDP per capita
    • GDP (official exchange rate)
    • Inflation rate (consumer prices)
    • GDP – composition, by sector of origin
    • GDP – composition, by end use
    • Agricultural products
    • Industries
    • Industrial production growth rate
    • Labor force
    • Unemployment rate
    • Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
    • Population below poverty line
    • Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
    • Household income or consumption by percentage share
    • Remittances
    • Budget
    • Public debt
    • Taxes and other revenues
    • Current account balance
    • Exports
    • Exports – partners
    • Exports – commodities
    • Imports
    • Imports – partners
    • Imports – commodities
    • Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
    • Debt – external
    • Exchange rates
  • Energy
    • Electricity access
    • Electricity
    • Electricity generation sources
    • Petroleum
    • Carbon dioxide emissions
    • Energy consumption per capita
  • Communications
    • Telephones – fixed lines
    • Telephones – mobile cellular
    • Broadcast media
    • Internet country code
    • Internet users
    • Broadband – fixed subscriptions
  • Transportation
    • Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
    • Airports
    • Heliports
    • Merchant marine
    • Ports
  • Military and Security
    • Military and security forces
    • Military expenditures
    • Military and security service personnel strengths
    • Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
    • Military service age and obligation
    • Military – note
  • Transnational Issues
    • Refugees and internally displaced persons

In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, but Siaka STEVENS — Sierra Leone’s second prime minister — quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS’ ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH — who was originally elected in 1996 — as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted democratic elections dominated by the two main political parties, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) party. In 2018, Julius Maada BIO of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won the presidential election that saw a high voter turnout despite some allegations of voter intimidation. BIO won again in June 2023, although irregularities were noted that called into question the integrity of the results.  In October 2023, the Government of Sierra Leone and the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress, signed the Agreement for National Unity to boost cooperation between political parties and begin the process of reforming the country’s electoral system.

Geography

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia

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Sierra Leone map
Sierra Leone map

Geographic coordinates

8 30 N, 11 30 W

Map references

Africa

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Sierra Leone map Africa
Sierra Leone map Africa

Area

total : 71,740 sq km

land: 71,620 sq km

water: 120 sq km

comparison ranking: total 119

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

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Land boundaries

total: 1,093 km

border countries (2): Guinea 794 km; Liberia 299 km

Coastline

402 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)

Terrain

coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east

Elevation

highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 279 m

Natural resources

diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite

Land use

agricultural land: 54.7% (2022 est.)

arable land: 21.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 30.5% (2022 est.)

forest: 34.6% (2022 est.)

other: 10.7% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

300 sq km (2012)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)

Population distribution

population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated, as shown on this population distribution map

Natural hazards

dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

Geography – note

rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 in) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal western Africa

People and Society

Population

total: 9,121,049 (2024 est.)

male: 4,515,726

female: 4,605,323

comparison rankings: total 99; female 98; male 98

Nationality

noun: Sierra Leonean(s)

adjective: Sierra Leonean

Ethnic groups

Temne 35.4%, Mende 30.8%, Limba 8.8%, Kono 4.3%, Korankoh 4%, Fullah 3.8%, Mandingo 2.8%, Loko 2%, Sherbro 1.9%, Creole 1.2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), other 5% (2019 est.)

Languages

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves; a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)

Religions

Muslim 77.1%, Christian 22.9% (2019 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.1% (male 1,843,606/female 1,812,304)

15-64 years: 57.4% (male 2,557,715/female 2,675,418)

65 years and over: 2.5% (2024 est.) (male 114,405/female 117,601)

2024 population pyramid:

2024 population pyramid

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 74.3 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 69.9 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 4.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 22.6 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 19.4 years (2024 est.)

male: 19 years

female: 19.9 years

comparison ranking: total 210

Population growth rate

2.32% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 29

Birth rate

30.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 24

Death rate

9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 58

Net migration rate

1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 60

Population distribution

population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated, as shown on this population distribution map

Urbanization

urban population: 44.3% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

1.309 million FREETOWN (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

19.6 years (2019 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

Maternal mortality ratio

443 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: 18

Infant mortality rate

total: 71.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 66.2 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 5

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 59.4 years (2024 est.)

male: 57.8 years

female: 61 years

comparison ranking: total population 223

Total fertility rate

3.61 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 30

Gross reproduction rate

1.78 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

21.2% (2019)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 92.5% of population

rural: 58% of population

total: 72.8% of population

unimproved:

urban: 7.5% of population

rural: 42% of population

total: 27.2% of population (2020 est.)

Health expenditure

8.6% of GDP (2021)

5.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 79.5% of population

rural: 35.5% of population

total: 54.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: 20.5% of population

rural: 64.5% of population

total: 45.6% of population (2020 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

8.7% (2016)

comparison ranking: 147

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 3.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 2.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 107

Tobacco use

total: 9.8% (2025 est.)

male: 14.8% (2025 est.)

female: 4.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 129

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

12% (2021)

comparison ranking: 40

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

58.9% (2023 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 8.6% (2019)

women married by age 18: 29.6% (2019)

men married by age 18: 4.1% (2019)

Education expenditure

8.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

29.4% national budget (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 7

Literacy

total population: 43.6% (2019 est.)

male: 54.6% (2019 est.)

female: 33.9% (2019 est.)

Environment

Environment – current issues

overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture resulting in deforestation, soil exhaustion, and flooding; loss of biodiversity; air pollution; water pollution; overfishing

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)

Land use

agricultural land: 54.7% (2022 est.)

arable land: 21.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 30.5% (2022 est.)

forest: 34.6% (2022 est.)

other: 10.7% (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 44.3% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 39.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.09 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 3.16 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 610,222 tons (2004 est.)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 110 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

160 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone

conventional short form: Sierra Leone

local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone

local short form: Sierra Leone

etymology: Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA is usually credited with naming the country “Serra da Leao” (Lion Mountains) in 1462, but Venetian explorer Alvise CA’ DA MOSTO recorded the name as “Serre-Lionne” in 1457, referring to the rumbling of thunder over the mountains

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Freetown

geographic coordinates: 8 29 N, 13 14 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name described the original settlement in 1781, which served as a haven for free-born and freed African Americans

Administrative divisions

4 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, Western*

Legal system

mixed system of English common law and customary law

Constitution

history: several previous; latest effective 1 October 1991

amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in two successive readings and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms and many other constitutional sections also requires approval in a referendum with participation of at least one half of qualified voters and at least two thirds of votes cast

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023) 

head of government: President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023)

cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by 55% in the first round or absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 June 2023 (next to be held in June 2028)

election results:
2023: Julius Maada BIO reelected president in first round; percent of vote – Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 56.2%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 41.2%, other 2.6%

2018: 
Julius Maada BIO elected president in second round; percent of vote – Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 51.8%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 48.2%

note: the president is chief of state, head of government, and minister of defense

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 149 (135 directly elected; 14 indirectly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 6/24/2023

parties elected and seats per party: Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) (81); All People’s Congress (APC) (54)

percentage of women in chamber: 29.5%

expected date of next election: June 2028

note: 14 seats are reserved for “paramount chiefs,” who are indirectly elected to represent the 14 provincial districts

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court at the top, with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman, and are subject to approval by Parliament; all Judicature judges serve until retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: magistrates’ courts; District Appeals Court; local courts

Political parties

All People’s Congress or APC 
Sierra Leone People’s Party or SLPP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Sheku MESALI (since 14 January 2025)

chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-1605

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261

FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://embassyofsierraleone.net/

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan David HUNT (since 8 September 2023)

embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown

mailing address: 2160 Freetown Place, Washington DC  20521-2160

telephone: [232] 99 105 000

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://sl.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

27 April 1961 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue; green stands for agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white for unity and justice, and blue for the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown

National symbol(s)

lion

National colors

green, white, blue

National anthem

name: “High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free”

lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA

note: adopted 1961

Economy

Economic overview

low-income West African economy; primarily subsistent agriculture; key iron and diamond mining activities suspended; slow recovery from 1990s civil war; systemic corruption; high-risk debt; high youth unemployment; natural resource rich

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$25.671 billion (2023 est.)
$24.284 billion (2022 est.)
$23.059 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 156

Real GDP growth rate

5.71% (2023 est.)
5.31% (2022 est.)
4.1% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 33

Real GDP per capita

$3,000 (2023 est.)
$2,900 (2022 est.)
$2,800 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 197

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.412 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

28.6% (2024 est.)
47.6% (2023 est.)
27.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 205

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 29.1% (2023 est.)

industry: 26% (2023 est.)

services: 42% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 190; industry 86; agriculture 13

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 87.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 5.5% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 19.8% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 21.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -34.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

cassava, rice, oil palm fruit, vegetables, sweet potatoes, milk, citrus fruits, fruits, groundnuts, sugarcane (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

diamond mining; iron ore, rutile and bauxite mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, footwear)

Industrial production growth rate

14.39% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 5

Labor force

2.863 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 115

Unemployment rate

3.1% (2024 est.)
3.2% (2023 est.)
3.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 51

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 3.6% (2024 est.)

male: 4.8% (2024 est.)

female: 2.5% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 183

Population below poverty line

56.8% (2018 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

35.7 (2018 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 69

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.4% (2018 est.)

highest 10%: 29.4% (2018 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

6.82% of GDP (2023 est.)
4.52% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.24% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $740 million (2019 est.)

expenditures: $867 million (2019 est.)

Public debt

63.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 68

Taxes and other revenues

15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 130

Current account balance

-$606.358 million (2023 est.)
-$452.094 million (2022 est.)
-$522.815 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 123

Exports

$1.382 billion (2023 est.)
$1.202 billion (2022 est.)
$928.689 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 175

Exports – partners

China 67%, India 6%, Belgium 5%, Netherlands 4%, Ireland 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

iron ore, titanium ore, diamonds, aluminum ore, cocoa beans (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$2.264 billion (2023 est.)
$2.074 billion (2022 est.)
$1.91 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 173

Imports – partners

China 32%, India 15%, UAE 5%, USA 5%, Turkey 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

rice, plastic products, packaged medicine, cement, cars (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$495.699 million (2023 est.)
$624.496 million (2022 est.)
$945.908 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 169

Debt – external

$1.451 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 99

Exchange rates

leones (SLL) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
21.305 (2023 est.)
14.048 (2022 est.)
10.439 (2021 est.)
9.83 (2020 est.)
9.01 (2019 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 29.4% (2022 est.)

electrification – urban areas: 55.3%

electrification – rural areas: 5%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 149,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 131.321 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 81.921 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 42; consumption 197; installed generating capacity 182

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 9.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 84.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

1.342 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.342 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 167

Energy consumption per capita

2.301 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 183

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 0 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 222

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 8.23 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 100

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; 1 pay-TV service; 1 state-owned national radio station; about 24 private radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available (2019)

Internet country code

.sl

Internet users

percent of population: 21% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 0 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2021 est.) less than 1

comparison ranking: total 216

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9L

Airports

8 (2025)

comparison ranking: 167

Heliports

3 (2025)

comparison ranking: 120

Merchant marine

total: 584 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 33, container ship 8, general cargo 320, oil tanker 97, other 126

comparison ranking: total 39

Ports

total ports: 3 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 1

very small: 2

ports with oil terminals: 2

key ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): organized as a Joint Force Command with land, air, and maritime components

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Sierra Leone Police (2025)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 10,000 active Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the RSLAF has a small inventory that includes a mix of Soviet-origin and other older foreign-supplied equipment; in recent years, it has received limited amounts of newer equipment, mostly as donations (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 for voluntary military service for men and women (25-40 for specialists); no conscription (2023)

Military – note

the RSLAF’s principle responsibilities are securing the borders and the country’s territorial waters, supporting civil authorities during emergencies and reconstruction efforts, and participating in peacekeeping missions; it is small, lightly armed, and has a limited budget; since being reduced in size and restructured with British assistance after the end of the civil war in 2002, it has received assistance from several foreign militaries, including those of Canada, China, France, the UK, and the US; the RSLAF has participated in peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Sudan

the RSLAF’s origins lie in the Sierra Leone Battalion of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), a multi-regiment force formed by the British colonial office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Gold Coast (Ghana), Nigeria (Lagos and the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria), Sierra Leone, and The Gambia; the RWAFF fought in both World Wars (2024)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: IDPs: 3000 currently displaced due to post-electoral violence in 2018 and clashes in the Pujehun region in 2019); 900 internal displacements due to flood in 2022 (2022)

5,500 (displacement caused by post-electoral violence in 2018 and clashes in the Pujehun region in 2019) (2021)

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