Country Profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a tropical nation located in West Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Guinea to the north, and Liberia to the south. With a population of approximately 9.3 million people, Sierra Leone is characterized by a rich cultural tapestry woven from various ethnic groups and religions, predominantly Islam and Christianity. The economy is primarily reliant on subsistence agriculture, mining, and a post-civil war recovery effort, marked by systemic challenges such as corruption and high youth unemployment. Governed as a presidential republic, Sierra Leone has seen a mix of democratic progress and political challenges since gaining independence from the UK in 1961.

Geography

Sierra Leone is situated in western Africa with a coastline of 402 km along the Atlantic Ocean. The country's landscape features a coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hills, and mountainous regions, with its highest point being Loma Mansa at 1,948 meters. The climate is tropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons, and it is rich in natural resources, including diamonds and iron ore. The country covers an area of 71,740 square kilometers, slightly smaller than South Carolina.

54.7% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
34.3% forest cover (2023 est.)
1,093 km of land borders with Guinea and Liberia
495 cm annual rainfall along the coast, one of the wettest regions in coastal West Africa

People and Society

Sierra Leone's population is estimated at 9,331,203 (2025), characterized by a youthful demographic, with a median age of just 19.7 years. The country is ethnically diverse, with the largest groups being Temne and Mende. The predominant religion is Islam, accounting for 77.1% of the population. Urbanization is gradually increasing, with 44.3% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

40.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.)
30.04 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
59.4 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
43.6% literacy rate (2019 est.)

Economy

Sierra Leone's economy is classified as low-income, with a significant reliance on subsistence agriculture and resource extraction. Key economic activities include diamond mining and iron ore production. Despite a gradual recovery since the civil war, the economy faces challenges such as systemic corruption and high youth unemployment rates. The GDP (PPP) for 2023 is estimated at $25.7 billion, showing a growth rate of 5.7%.

3.2% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
56.8% of the population below the poverty line (2018 est.)
87.6% of GDP is attributed to household consumption (2024 est.)
$1.382 billion in exports (2023 est.)

Government

Sierra Leone operates as a presidential republic, with the capital in Freetown. The political system includes a unicameral Parliament and a mixed legal system of English common law and customary law. President Julius Maada BIO has been in office since June 2023 and was recently reelected with 56.2% of the vote. The country has experienced a blend of democratic elections and authoritarian rule since its independence in 1961.

149 members in Parliament (2023)
18 years is the voting age for universal suffrage
5 years is the presidential term length
National holiday celebrated on April 27, marking independence from the UK (1961)

Military and Security

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) comprises land, air, and maritime components, with approximately 10,000 active personnel as of 2025. Military expenditure is about 0.5% of GDP, focusing on border security and support during civil emergencies. Although the RSLAF has received assistance from several foreign nations post-war, it primarily operates with a small inventory of outdated equipment.

0.5% of GDP allocated for military expenditures (2024 est.)
No conscription; voluntary service for those aged 18-25 (2025)
Engages in peacekeeping missions internationally

Energy

Electricity access in Sierra Leone is limited, with only 29.4% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The energy generation relies heavily on hydroelectric sources, making up 84.4% of the installed capacity. Petroleum consumption is at 9,000 bbl/day as of 2023, reflecting the country's energy challenges.

131.321 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023 est.)
149,000 kW installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
5% electrification rate in rural areas (2022 est.)

Transportation

Sierra Leone's transportation infrastructure includes 8 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 584 vessels. The key ports are located in Bonthe, Freetown, and Pepel, facilitating trade and transport within the region.

3 major ports in total (2024)
8 aircraft registered in the country (2025)
3 heliports operational (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications sector is gradually evolving, with around 8.93 million mobile cellular subscriptions recorded in 2022. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain negligible. Internet access is limited, with only 21% of the population using the internet as of 2023.

1 state-owned and 3 private TV stations operating (2019)
0 fixed broadband subscriptions reported (2021)
Telephones - mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,331,203 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	71,740 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$25.7 billion (2023 est.)	Gross Domestic Product (PPP)
GDP per capita	$3,000 (2023 est.)	GDP per capita
Unemployment rate	3.2% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force
Birth rate	30.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Birth rate per 1,000 people
Life expectancy	59.4 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Electricity access	29.4% (2022 est.)	Access to electricity
Urban population	44.3% (2023)	Percentage living in urban areas
Military expenditures	0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military spending as % of GDP