Rank #166 by World Population
🇸🇱Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has a population of 8,460,512, ranking #166 in the world. The capital is Freetown. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .
World Bank: Low income
8,460,512
Population
#166
World Rank
61.8
Life Expectancy
$758
GDP Per Capita
Sierra Leone, #166 by world population
Sierra Leone Population History (1960-2024)
The country of Sierra Leone had a population of 2,268,356 in 1960 and 8,642,022 in 2024, a 3.8× growth over 64 years. The peak was 8,642,022 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.12%.
8,642,022
Population (2024)
2,268,356
Population (1960)
8,642,022
Peak (2024)
2.12%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,268,356 |
| 1961 | 2,304,227 |
| 1962 | 2,342,242 |
| 1963 | 2,382,258 |
| 1964 | 2,424,390 |
| 1965 | 2,468,666 |
| 1966 | 2,514,638 |
| 1967 | 2,562,384 |
| 1968 | 2,611,532 |
| 1969 | 2,661,365 |
| 1970 | 2,712,286 |
| 1971 | 2,763,222 |
| 1972 | 2,814,388 |
| 1973 | 2,866,955 |
| 1974 | 2,920,459 |
| 1975 | 2,974,657 |
| 1976 | 3,028,820 |
| 1977 | 3,085,354 |
| 1978 | 3,145,517 |
| 1979 | 3,207,499 |
| 1980 | 3,272,089 |
| 1981 | 3,338,940 |
| 1982 | 3,408,183 |
| 1983 | 3,481,646 |
| 1984 | 3,558,758 |
| 1985 | 3,638,438 |
| 1986 | 3,728,380 |
| 1987 | 3,829,718 |
| 1988 | 3,934,517 |
| 1989 | 4,034,037 |
| 1990 | 4,196,828 |
| 1991 | 4,246,267 |
| 1992 | 4,166,366 |
| 1993 | 4,157,130 |
| 1994 | 4,173,105 |
| 1995 | 4,179,179 |
| 1996 | 4,199,210 |
| 1997 | 4,253,716 |
| 1998 | 4,295,785 |
| 1999 | 4,318,043 |
| 2000 | 4,423,611 |
| 2001 | 4,692,716 |
| 2002 | 4,971,435 |
| 2003 | 5,177,687 |
| 2004 | 5,355,717 |
| 2005 | 5,501,712 |
| 2006 | 5,624,466 |
| 2007 | 5,749,352 |
| 2008 | 5,894,722 |
| 2009 | 6,055,646 |
| 2010 | 6,222,714 |
| 2011 | 6,387,251 |
| 2012 | 6,551,080 |
| 2013 | 6,714,051 |
| 2014 | 6,876,385 |
| 2015 | 7,037,655 |
| 2016 | 7,205,328 |
| 2017 | 7,379,299 |
| 2018 | 7,554,563 |
| 2019 | 7,731,991 |
| 2020 | 7,912,558 |
| 2021 | 8,094,602 |
| 2022 | 8,276,807 |
| 2023 | 8,460,512 |
| 2024 | 8,642,022 |
Demographics
| Population | 8,460,512 |
| Population Growth Rate | 2.20% |
| Urban Population | 44.8% |
| Fertility Rate | 3.79 births/woman |
| Life Expectancy | 61.8 years |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 56.3 per 1,000 |
| Literacy Rate | - |
Economy & Trade
$758
GDP Per Capita
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Low income
Income Level
55.3%
Trade (% of GDP)
Health & Education
4.7%
Health Expenditure (% GDP)
0.13
Physicians per 1,000
2.6%
Education Expenditure (% GDP)
56.3
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Development & Connectivity
35.5%
Electricity Access
21.5%
Internet Users
102
Mobile Subs per 100
117.2
People per km2
-4,000
Net Migration
Environment
34.3%
Forest Area
Sierra Leone Climate
Sierra Leone has an average annual temperature of 25.8°C (78°F) and receives about 3088 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is April and the coldest is August. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
25.8°C
Avg Temp
3088
Precip (mm/yr)
Apr
Hottest Month
Aug
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26° / 78° | 4 mm |
| February | 26° / 79° | 6 mm |
| March | 27° / 80° | 15 mm |
| April | 27° / 81° | 50 mm |
| May | 27° / 80° | 186 mm |
| June | 26° / 78° | 348 mm |
| July | 25° / 77° | 735 mm |
| August | 25° / 76° | 802 mm |
| September | 25° / 77° | 521 mm |
| October | 26° / 78° | 295 mm |
| November | 26° / 79° | 106 mm |
| December | 26° / 78° | 20 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Sierra Leone
The most comfortable months to visit Sierra Leone are typically January, February and December, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is April (around 32°C high). The coldest is August (near 22°C low). August is usually the wettest month.
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Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sierra Leone in global context
Sierra Leone is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.
World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →Other related entities
Country rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Sierra Leone has a population of 8,460,512, ranking #166 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 2.20%.
Life expectancy in Sierra Leone is 61.8 years. The infant mortality rate is 56.3 per 1,000 live births.
Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $758. It is classified as a low income country by the World Bank.
44.8% of Sierra Leone's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 117.2 people per square kilometer.
Literacy data for Sierra Leone is available from the World Bank.
The most comfortable months to visit Sierra Leone are typically January, February and December, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.
Sierra Leone has an average annual temperature of 25.8°C and about 3088 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically April and the coldest is August.
International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.
With 8,460,512 residents, Sierra Leone is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . The population is expanding fast — roughly 2.2% annually.
GDP per capita is roughly $758, placing Sierra Leone among lower-income economies. Life expectancy is 61.8 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 3.8 births per woman, and 44.8% of the population lives in urban areas.
Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.