usby.numbers
Flag of Sierra LeoneAfrica · Freetown

Sierra Leone· by the numbers

8,932,405
Population right now, ticking live from the last confirmed count.▲ growing8,819,794 (World Bank, 2025) + +177,772/year × elapsed time since 2025-12-31 — open formula, updates every ticksource: World Bank · indicator year: 2025 · license: CC BY 4.0 · 1 in 931 on Earth

Sierra Leone's population is 8,819,794 (2025) — the 100th-largest in the world and the 33rd-largest in Africa, growing by about 177,772 people a year.

Where it ranksCompare →Updated 2026-08-19

Sierra Leone Facts at a Glance

Six numbers that summarise the country — population trend, rank, density, wealth, prices, share of humanity.

Population#100 of 217
8,819,794
Area
71,740 km²
122.2 km² land area
GDP#151 of 186
$7.5B
GDP / capita
$846
2025
#151 economy overall
Price level#193 of 200
23 / US 100
cost of living
Share of humanity
0.11%
1 in 931 people on Earth lives in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone in World Rankings

Every world ranking we publish, this country’s place in each, and its overall percentile shape.

Population8,819,794 people
#100 / 217
GDP$7.5B
#151 / 186
Average income$830 GNI per person
#174 / 182
Life expectancy62 years
#206 / 217
Average height166.4 cm (male)
#181 / 200
Median age19.3 years, half older
#185 / 220
Cleanest air22.46 µg/m³ PM2.5
#132 / 200
Safest countries2.2 homicides / 100k
#87 / 196
Most dangerous2.2 homicides / 100k
#112 / 196
Internet users25.1% of population online
#169 / 182
PopulationGDPIncomeLife exp.HeightMedian ageClean airSafetyDangerOnline
Percentile in each ranking — further from centre is a higher rank (closer to #1).

Sierra Leone's Population Growth

Yes — Sierra Leone's population rose by 177,772 people (+2.06%) between 2024 and 2025. The fertility rate is 3.7 births per woman. Net migration was negative in the latest year on record.

Population, 1960 to 2025

66 years of estimates from the same source.

Source: World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL) · annual estimates, 1960–2025 · hover the line for any year.

Sierra Leone Demographics

Every indicator has its own source and dataset year — shown honestly rather than smoothed into one.

Population density2025
122.2 people / km²
72,180 km² land area, 2025
Median age2023
19.3 years
half the population is older, half younger
Life expectancy2024
62.0 years
M 60.2 · F 63.7
Average height2019
166.4 cm (male)
female 157.3 cm
Homicide rate2020
2.2 per 100,000
#87 safest of 196
Air quality (PM2.5)2023
22.5 µg/m³
lower is cleaner
Urban population2025
45.9 %
share living in cities
Fertility rate2025
3.7 births / woman
replacement level ≈ 2.1
Net migration2025
−11,309 people
negative in latest year
Aged 65+2025
3.3 %
share of the population 65 or older

Age & sex structure

17 five-year bands, male and female, 2025.

Male — 4,399,022Female — 4,420,772
0-4 · Male: 595,9460-4 · Female: 584,6100-45-9 · Male: 553,5495-9 · Female: 545,5745-910-14 · Male: 523,34310-14 · Female: 517,69410-1415-19 · Male: 483,49215-19 · Female: 477,78715-1920-24 · Male: 430,95920-24 · Female: 425,72020-2425-29 · Male: 372,01925-29 · Female: 371,12925-2930-34 · Male: 312,86530-34 · Female: 312,29030-3435-39 · Male: 263,79035-39 · Female: 262,47635-3940-44 · Male: 219,19740-44 · Female: 219,04740-4445-49 · Male: 178,10045-49 · Female: 181,36445-4950-54 · Male: 142,07950-54 · Female: 148,14050-5455-59 · Male: 111,49355-59 · Female: 119,76255-5960-64 · Male: 83,89060-64 · Female: 93,86860-6465-69 · Male: 58,09265-69 · Female: 68,67065-6970-74 · Male: 36,34770-74 · Female: 45,78770-7475-79 · Male: 20,43575-79 · Female: 27,21875-7980+ · Male: 13,42680+ · Female: 19,63680+

Largest cities

By population, GeoNames city-proper figures (not metro area).

1
Freetown
802,639
2
Kenema
255,110
3
Bo
233,684
4
Koidu
128,030
5
Makeni
85,116
6
Waterloo
55,000
7
Port Loko
44,900
8
Njala
40,000
9
Lunsar
22,461
10
Goderich
19,209
11
Kabala
17,948
12
Segbwema
16,532

Where is Sierra Leone Located?

Capital
Freetown
Currency
Leone (SLE)
Language(s)
English, MEN, TEM
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Continent
54 countries in Africa →
Land area
72,180 km²
Area (GeoNames)
71,740 km²
Borders
2 countries
Shares a border with
LiberiaGuinea

You, in Sierra Leone

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Frequently asked

What is the population of Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone's population is 8,819,794 as of 2025 (World Bank estimate), ranking #100 of 217 countries and territories by population.

How many people live in Sierra Leone?

8,819,794 people, as of the 2025 World Bank estimate — the most recent figure this page tracks.

What is Sierra Leone's population density?

122.2 people per km², based on a land area of 72,180 km².

What is Sierra Leone ranked in population worldwide?

#100 of 217 countries and territories by population — see the full ranking table for every country's position.

What is the life expectancy in Sierra Leone?

62.0 years on average (2024) — 60.2 for men, 63.7 for women.

What is Sierra Leone's GDP?

$7.5B, ranking #151 of 186 economies we track — $846 per capita.

Cite this page

CC BY 4.0

Our compilation on this page — the figures as arranged, ranked and dated here — is published under CC BY 4.0. Reuse it anywhere, including commercially, with a link back. The underlying data belongs to the organizations credited below.

Us, by Numbers. "Us, by Numbers." https://usbynumbers.com

Sources