Country Profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, located on the western coast of Africa, is bordered by Guinea and Liberia, featuring a diverse geography that includes coastal mangrove swamps and upland plateaus. With an estimated population of over 9.3 million, Sierra Leone is home to various ethnic groups, predominantly the Temne and Mende. The economy heavily relies on subsistence agriculture and mining, with ongoing recovery efforts from decades of civil unrest. Governed as a presidential republic, Sierra Leone has made efforts towards democratic reinforcement, though challenges such as corruption and electoral integrity persist.

Geography

Sierra Leone is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west between Guinea and Liberia. The country covers an area of approximately 71,740 square kilometers, characterized by a tropical climate and a range of terrains from coastal swamps to mountainous regions. The region experiences a significant rainfall, particularly along the coast, making it one of the wettest areas in coastal western Africa.

402 km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean
1,093 km of land boundaries, shared with Guinea and Liberia
54.7% of land used for agriculture (2023)
34.3% forested area (2023)
1,948 m elevation at Loma Mansa (Bintimani), the highest point

People and Society

Sierra Leone has a population estimated at 9,331,203 in 2025, with a youthful median age of 19.7 years. The society is ethnically diverse, including groups such as the Temne and Mende, and predominantly Muslim (77.1%). Although urbanization is on the rise, with about 44.3% of the population living in urban areas, challenges such as literacy (43.6% overall) and maternal mortality (354 deaths per 100,000 live births) persist in the country.

40.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years
2.24% population growth rate (2025)
30.04 births per 1,000 population (2025)
8.8 deaths per 1,000 population (2025)
61.5% of currently married women aged 15-49

Economy

Sierra Leone's economy is classified as a low-income economy with a significant portion of its activity based in subsistence agriculture. The country has been navigating a slow recovery from the impacts of a civil war, with key industries including diamond and iron ore mining. GDP growth is projected at 4% in 2024, reflective of ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy, though systemic corruption remains a barrier to progress.

$26.728 billion GDP (PPP, 2024)
56.8% of the population living below the poverty line (2018)
3.2% unemployment rate (2024)
4.6% of GDP from remittances (2023)
87.6% of household consumption of GDP (2024)

Government

The Republic of Sierra Leone operates as a presidential republic, with Freetown as its capital. The government has a mixed legal system and has been working towards reinforcing its democratic framework following periods of authoritarian rule. The most recent general elections held in June 2023 resulted in Julius Maada Bio being re-elected as president amid questions about electoral integrity.

149 seats in the unicameral Parliament
18 years of age for universal suffrage
0.6% of GDP allocated for military expenditures (2023)
The government was established on October 1, 1991
Julius Maada Bio has been in power since June 2023

Military and Security

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) consists of land, air, and maritime components, focusing on securing the country's borders and participating in peacekeeping missions. Military expenditures are relatively low, with estimated allocations being 0.5% of GDP for 2024. The military has undergone significant changes since the end of the civil war, with ongoing support from various international partners.

10,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces (2025)
18-25 years voluntary military service age
Military has a small inventory of secondhand armaments (2025)

Energy

Sierra Leone faces challenges in providing electricity, with only 29.4% of the population having access as of 2022. The majority of electricity generation comes from hydroelectric sources, supplemented by solar energy, but overall capacity remains low compared to demand.

149,000 kW of installed generating capacity (2023)
131.321 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023)
9,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023)
2.301 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

Sierra Leone grapples with significant environmental issues, including deforestation, water, and air pollution stemming from overharvesting and unsustainable agricultural practices. Urbanization and high population density exacerbate the challenges, affecting biodiversity and local ecosystems.

54.7% of land used for agriculture (2023)
1.342 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023)
610,200 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes several modes, with Bonthe, Freetown, and Pepel being the key ports. The country has a limited number of airports, highlighting the need for infrastructure investment and improvement for better connectivity.

8 airports operational (2025)
3 ports, with various sizes serving different types of cargo
584 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

The telecommunications landscape is developing, with mobile cellular subscriptions exceeding the population. Internet penetration remains low, with only 21% of the population estimated to be using the internet.

8.93 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
0 fixed-line subscriptions reported (2021)
1 state-owned TV station and multiple private broadcasters are operational (2019)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,331,203	Estimated for 2025
Area (total)	71,740 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$26.728 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3.2%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	30.04 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.301 million Btu	Estimated for 2023
Life Expectancy	59.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	43.6%	Estimated for 2019
Maternal Mortality Ratio	354 deaths/100,000	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	44.3%	Of total population (2023)