Country Profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a tropical country located in West Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Guinea, and Liberia. The nation has a population estimated at over 9 million, primarily concentrated in urban areas like the capital, Freetown. Its economy, marked as low-income, relies heavily on subsistence agriculture and has significant resources in mining—especially diamonds and iron ore. The political landscape is shaped by a presidential republic structure, having experienced a civil war in the 1990s and ongoing challenges in governance and economic stability.

Geography

Sierra Leone is situated in Western Africa, with a total area of approximately 71,740 square kilometers. The country features diverse terrains including a coastal belt, wooded hill country, and mountains. Its climate is tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons, contributing to lush biodiversity and significant rainfall along the coast.

1,093 km of land boundaries with Guinea and Liberia
402 km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean
54.7% of land used for agriculture (2022 est.)
34.6% forest cover (2022 est.)
Highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) at 1,948 m

People and Society

Sierra Leone has a population of approximately 9.1 million people, with a youthful demographic structure and a median age of 19.4 years. The country is ethnically diverse, with major groups including Temne and Mende. English is the official language, while many vernacular languages such as Mende and Temne are widely spoken. Islam is the predominant religion, influencing much of the country's culture.

77.1% of the population is Muslim (2019 est.)
44.3% urban population (2023)
40.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years
30.8% of adults were illiterate (2019 est.)
2.32% population growth rate (2024 est.)

Economy

Sierra Leone's economy is primarily low-income and reliant on subsistence agriculture, with mining playing a key role. The country is rich in natural resources yet faces challenges such as corruption, high unemployment, and systemic economic issues. The GDP is projected to grow by 4% in 2024, indicating slow recovery after the civil war.

$26.728 billion real GDP (PPP) in 2024
3.2% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
56.8% of the population lives below the poverty line (2018 est.)
25.4% of GDP from agriculture (2024 est.)
0.5% military expenditures of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Sierra Leone is a presidential republic, with Freetown as its capital. The government structure includes an executive branch led by the president, a unicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary. The recent political environment has seen an agreement for national unity to mend relations between major political parties.

President: Julius Maada BIO, in office since June 2023
149 seats in the Parliament
18 years as the voting age
Independence gained on April 27, 1961
Mixed legal system of English common and customary law

Military and Security

The Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is composed of land, air, and maritime components, focusing on border security and internal emergency support. Military expenditures are relatively low, and the army has received international assistance since the civil war ceased in 2002.

Estimated 10,000 active military personnel (2025)
0.5% of GDP spent on the military (2024 est.)
Absence of conscription; voluntary service from ages 18-25
Diverse mix of military equipment mainly from older foreign sources

Energy

Energy access remains a hurdle in Sierra Leone, with only 29.4% of the population having electricity in 2022. Hydroelectric power is the dominant source of electricity generation, while overall energy consumption per capita is low.

131.321 million kWh total electricity consumption (2023)
149,000 kW installed generating capacity (2023)
9,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023)

Transportation

Sierra Leone has a limited yet functional transportation network, including several airports and a merchant marine fleet. Major ports play a vital role in international trade, while the overall infrastructure faces improvement needs.

3 major ports (2024)
8 airports (2025)
584 total vessels in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

The communications infrastructure in Sierra Leone has been developing, with mobile subscriptions outnumbering fixed telephones. The internet penetration is low, but there are a growing number of private media outlets.

8.23 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2021 est.)
21% of the population are internet users (2023 est.)
0 fixed lines in service (2021 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,121,049	2024 estimate
Area	71,740 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$26.728 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	3.2%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	30.8 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	59.4 years	2024 estimate
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	2.301 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.5% of GDP	2024 estimate