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Last update: January, 23 2021

Sierra Leone

flag of Sierra Leone
Government
NameRepublic of Sierra Leone
Government typepresidential republic
CapitalFreetown (853,651 (2004))
CurrencyLeone (SLL)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)7,976,985 (102nd)
Density of population97 P/km2 (114th)
NationalitySierra Leonean
Official languages
English
Ethnic groups (2013)
Temne35.5%
Mende33.2%
Limba6.4%
Kono4.4%
Fullah3.4%
Loko2.9%
Koranko2.8%
Sherbro2.6%
Mandingo2.4%
Creole (also known as Krio)1.2%
other Sierra Leone4.7%
other foreign0.3%
unspecified0.2%
Religions (2013)
Muslim78.6%
Christian20.8%
other0.3%
unspecified0.2%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male57.1 years
Female62.6 years
Total population59.8 years (218th)
Homicides
Total (2015)1.7 per 100,000 people (112th)
Geography
Land area71,620 km2
water area120 km2
total area71,740 km2 (120th)
Mean elevation279 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Loma Mansa (Bintimani)1,948 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land56.2%
Arable land23.4%
Permanent crops2.3%
Permanent pasture30.5%
Forest37.5%
Other6.3%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)42.9%
Rate of urbanization3.12% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)2.972 million  (105th)
Labor force by occupation (2014)
Agriculture61.1%
Industry5.5%
Services 33.4%
Unemployment rate (2017)15% (172nd)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$12.177 billion
Per capita$1,608
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$3.824 billion
Per capita$505
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture60.7%
Industry6.5%
Services32.9%
Exports (2017)$808.4 million (169th)
Exports partners (2017)
Cote d’Ivoire37.7%
Belgium20.5%
US15.7%
China10.2%
Netherlands6.1%
Imports (2017)$1.107 billion (183rd)
Imports partners (2017)
China11.5%
US9.2%
Belgium8.8%
UAE7.7%
India7.4%
Turkey5.2%
Senegal5.1%
Netherlands4.3%

Sierra Leone on the world map

Sierra Leone on the world map

Sierra Leone top 10 largest cities (2004)

  1. Freetown (853,651)
  2. Bo (149,957)
  3. Kenema (128,402)
  4. Makeni (82,940)
  5. Koidu (80,025)
  6. Lunsar (24,450)
  7. Port Loko (23,195)
  8. Pandebu-Tokpombu (20,219)
  9. Kabala (19,074)
  10. Waterloo (18,579)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Sierra Leone (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 41.38% (male 1,369,942/female 1,371,537)
  • 15-24 years: 18.83% (male 610,396/female 636,880)
  • 25-54 years: 32.21% (male 1,020,741/female 1,112,946)
  • 55-64 years: 3.89% (male 121,733/female 135,664)
  • 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 100,712/female 144,382) 

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Major rivers

Economy

Agriculture:

rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts, cashews, poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs, fish

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

iron ore, diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish

Imports – commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals

Time zone and current time in Sierra Leone

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Sierra Leone

Sources: