Sierra Leone: Statistical Overview

Capital: Freetown

Population

Total Population: 8,642,022

Natural Increase: 2.1%

Density: 115 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 44.8%

Ethnic Origins: The population is comprised of 15 ethnic groups, of which the Mende and Temne make up almost two-thirds of the total population; the Krio Creoles, descendants of Jamaicans, about 1%; while other ethnic groups and non-Sierra Leoneans make up 36% of the population. (Statistics Sierra Leone)

Official Language: English

Other Languages Spoken: Mende, Temne, Krio and others.

Business Language(s): English

Religion: Muslim 77.1%, Christian 22.9%

Literacy Rate: 34.8%

Local Time:

It is %T:%M %A In Freetown

Exchange Rate on :

National Currency: Leone (SLL)

Country Overview

Area: 72,300 km²

Type of State: Democratic Republic.

Type of Economy: Low-income, primarily agricultural economy dependent on international aid..
Sierra Leone is facing a difficult economic situation, with high inflation and heavy debt affecting the country's stability and the population's standard of living.

HDI*: 0.467/1

HDI (World Rank): 185/192

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, measures a country's development in terms of quality of life. It mainly takes into account life expectancy, level of education and GDP per capita.

Telecommunication

Telephone Code:
To call from Sierra Leone, dial 00
To call Sierra Leone, dial +232

Internet Suffix: .sl

Households with a computer: 5.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Telephone Lines: 0.3 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 20.6 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 35.5% of the Population

Foreign Trade in Figures

Foreign Trade Indicators	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Imports of Goods (million USD)	2,146	1,803	1,966	1,922	2,011
Exports of Goods (million USD)	423	697	1,059	1,328	1,263
Imports of Services (million USD)	158	236	257	316	351
Exports of Services (million USD)	53	68	23	43	51

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation, Latest data available.

See the latest updates in the Country Profile for Sierra Leone.

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