Country Profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic Ocean, shares borders with Guinea and Liberia. This country has a population of approximately 9.3 million people, characterized by diverse ethnic groups and languages, with a significant Muslim majority. Its economy is primarily based on subsistence agriculture and is hindered by systemic issues such as corruption and high youth unemployment, despite its rich natural resources like diamonds and iron ore. The governance of Sierra Leone operates as a presidential republic, with a history of fluctuating democratic processes and recent efforts to enhance national unity.

Geography

Sierra Leone is situated on the western coast of Africa, with a tropical climate that experiences a summer rainy season from May to December and a winter dry season from December to April. The terrain features a mix of coastal mangrove swamps, wooded hills, and upland plateaus, culminating in the highest point, Loma Mansa, at 1,948 meters. The country has a coastline of 402 km and shares land borders totaling 1,093 km with Guinea and Liberia.

Area: 71,740 sq km
Climate: Tropical, hot and humid
Natural resources: Diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold
Agricultural land: 54.7% (2023 est.)
Forest cover: 34.3% (2023 est.)
Population distribution: Clusters in southern and western lowlands

People and Society

As of 2025, Sierra Leone has an estimated population of 9,331,203, with a youthful demographic where 40.1% are under 14 years old. The country is home to various ethnic groups, including Temne and Mende, and uses English as its official language. The majority religion is Islam, practiced by 77.1% of the population. Issues such as a high dependency ratio and low literacy rates remain significant challenges.

Median age: 19.7 years (2025 est.)
Urban population: 44.3% (2023)
Population growth rate: 2.24% (2025 est.)
Birth rate: 30.04 births per 1,000 (2025 est.)
Death rate: 8.8 deaths per 1,000 (2025 est.)
Literacy rate: 43.6% (2019 est.)

Economy

Sierra Leone's economy is classified as low-income and heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture, with key sectors including diamond and iron ore mining. The recovery from the civil war has been slow, and the nation faces challenges such as high inflation and systemic corruption. Real GDP growth is projected at 4% in 2024, with significant contributions from the agriculture, industry, and services sectors.

GDP (PPP): $26.728 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,100 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.2% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 56.8% below the national poverty line (2018 est.)
Main agricultural products: Cassava, rice, oil palm fruit
Exports: $1.382 billion (2023 est.)

Government

Sierra Leone is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The country achieved independence from the UK on April 27, 1961, and operates under a mixed legal system of English common law and customary law. The current president, Julius Maada BIO, has been in office since June 27, 2023. The governance structure includes a unicameral parliament and a judiciary that oversees the legal framework.

Capital: Freetown
Constitution: Effective from October 1, 1991
Last election: June 24, 2023
Legislature: 149 seats in Parliament
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
National holiday: Independence Day, April 27 (1961)

Military and Security

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is structured as a joint command comprising land, air, and maritime components. There are approximately 10,000 active personnel. The country has a small military budget, with expenditures amounting to 0.5% of GDP in 2024. The military's main roles are border security, internal support, and participation in peacekeeping initiatives.

Active personnel: Estimated 10,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military service age: 18-25 for voluntary service
Security focus: Securing borders and supporting civil authorities

Energy

Electricity access in Sierra Leone is notably low, with only 29.4% of the total population having access as of 2022. The energy sector is predominantly reliant on hydroelectric power, which constitutes a large portion of the installed generating capacity. Consumption patterns reflect limited access to modern energy services, particularly in rural areas.

Installed capacity: 149,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electrification rate in urban areas: 55.3%
Rural electrification: 5%
Electricity consumption: 131.321 million kWh (2023 est.)

Environment

Sierra Leone faces numerous environmental challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity due to overharvesting and agricultural practices. The nation's lush landscapes are under threat from soil exhaustion and significant climate issues. Participation in various international environmental agreements highlights the government's commitment to addressing these challenges.

Greenhouse gas emissions: 1.342 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Agricultural land use: 54.7% of total land area (2023 est.)
Urban population: 44.3% (2023)
Deforestation: Significant concern from agricultural expansion

Transportation

Sierra Leone has a developing transportation network that includes several air and sea transport facilities. The country features eight airports and three active heliports. The merchant marine fleet includes various vessel types, supporting both domestic and international trade.

Airports: 8 (2025)
Merchant marine fleet: 584 vessels (2023)
Ports: 3 (2024), including Bonthe and Freetown

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Sierra Leone is growing, with mobile cellular subscriptions surpassing fixed lines. Internet access remains limited, with about 21% of the population using the internet as of 2023. The country hosts a mix of state-owned and private broadcasting media outlets.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 8.93 million (2022)
Internet users: 21% of the population (2023 est.)
Television stations: 1 state-owned and several private channels
Telephone subscriptions: Less than 1 per 100 inhabitants for fixed lines

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,331,203 (2025 est.)
Area	71,740 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$26.728 billion (2024)
Energy consumption per capita	2.301 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	30.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.2% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	59.4 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	43.6% (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio	354 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Urban population	44.3% (2023)