Country Profile: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, with Guinea to the north and Liberia to the southeast. It is characterized by a diverse geography that includes a coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, and mountainous regions. The population of approximately 9.3 million is comprised of various ethnic groups, with a significant Muslim majority. Economically, Sierra Leone's low-income status is largely driven by subsistence agriculture, alongside rich natural resources like diamonds and bauxite. The country has a presidential republic governance structure, having transitioned to democratic elections following a brutal civil war in the 1990s.

Geography

Sierra Leone covers an area of 71,740 square kilometers with a tropical climate characterized by a hot and humid environment. The country's terrain includes a coastal belt, wooded hills, and mountains in the east, with the highest peak being Loma Mansa at 1,948 meters. Its diverse landscape and abundant rainfall make it one of the wettest regions in coastal West Africa.

71,740 sq km: Total area of Sierra Leone.
402 km: Length of coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean.
54.7%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023 est.).
34.3%: Percentage of forested land (2023 est.).
12 nm: Territorial sea claim.

People and Society

Sierra Leone has an estimated population of about 9.3 million people, with a majority being young, as the median age is approximately 19.7 years. The population is primarily made up of the Temne and Mende ethnic groups, and languages such as English, Mende, and Temne reflect the country's diverse cultural heritage. Religion plays a significant role, with Muslims constituting about 77.1% of the population.

9,331,203: Projected population by 2025.
40.1%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
77.1%: Muslim population (2019 est.).
43.6%: Adult literacy rate (2019 est.).
30.04: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2025 est.).

Economy

Sierra Leone's economy is categorized as low-income, with a heavy reliance on subsistence farming. The country is rich in natural resources such as diamonds and iron ore, yet it has faced challenges including systemic corruption and high youth unemployment. Economic recovery has been slow since the civil war, with a reported GDP of approximately $26.7 billion in 2024.

$26.728 billion: Estimated GDP (PPP) for 2024.
3.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
4.6%: GDP contribution from remittances (2023 est.).
56.8%: Population living below the poverty line (2018 est.).
25.4%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP (2024 est.).

Government

Sierra Leone operates as a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The President serves as both the head of state and government. The country has undergone significant political changes since gaining independence from the UK in 1961, with the most recent elections held in June 2023, which saw President Julius Maada BIO reelected amidst allegations of irregularities.

Julius Maada BIO: Current President since June 2023.
149: Total seats in Parliament.
81: Seats held by the Sierra Leone People's Party (2023).
18 years: Minimum voting age.
29.5%: Percentage of women in Parliament (2023).

Military and Security

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) comprise land, air, and maritime components dedicated to securing the country’s borders and supporting internal peace. The military has roughly 10,000 active personnel and operates under a mixed legal system. Military expenditures hover around 0.5% of GDP in 2024.

10,000: Estimated active military personnel (2025).
0.5%: Military expenditure as a share of GDP (2024 est.).
18-25 years: Age range for voluntary military service (2025).
RSLAF: Engages in peacekeeping missions.

Energy

Energy access remains a challenge in Sierra Leone, with only 29.4% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power, which constitutes the majority of its generation capacity, while fossil fuels and solar energy make up smaller portions.

29.4%: Access to electricity in total population (2022 est.).
149,000 kW: Total installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.).
131.321 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023 est.).
9,000 bbl/day: Daily refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.).

Transportation

Sierra Leone features a network of transport options including roads, air travel, and maritime transport. Major ports include Freetown and Bonthe, with a total of 8 airports servicing the region.

584: Merchant vessels in the national fleet (2023).
3: Number of main ports.
8: Airports in total (2025 est.).

Communications

Telecommunications in Sierra Leone are growing, with significant use of mobile cellular subscriptions. However, fixed-line telephony remains underdeveloped, and internet access is limited to about 21% of the population.

8.93 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).
21%: Internet user penetration (2023 est.).
1: State-owned TV station, among several private media channels.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,331,203 (2025 est.)
Area	71,740 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$26.728 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	2.301 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	30.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.2% (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	43.6% (2019 est.)
Life Expectancy	59.4 years (2024 est.)
Electric Access	29.4% (2022 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)