Sierra Leone: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Sierra Leone — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
7,650,154
#102 of 197 countries
Area
71,740 km²
#121 of 248 countries
Density
106.6 / km²
#103 of 245 countries

Sierra Leone has a population of 7,650,154 spread across 71,740 km², giving it an average density of 106.6 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Sierra Leone
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Freetown
802,639
16482 / km²
Bo, Sierra Leone
174,354
10996 / km²
Kenema
143,137
9579 / km²
Koidu
124,662
5342 / km²
Makeni
87,679
7233 / km²
Waterloo, Sierra Leone
55,000
3125 / km²
Lunsar
22,461
1306 / km²
Port Loko
21,308
2435 / km²
Kabala, Sierra Leone
17,948
3186 / km²
Segbwema
16,532
1118 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
19.7
Life Expectancy
59.4 yrs
Literacy Rate
43.6%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Sierra Leone is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 23% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$758
Cost of Living
23% of US
Inflation
47.6%
Inequality
35.7
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$3,100
Unemployment
3.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 5.5% of Sierra Leone's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism % of Exports
5.5%
Outbound Tourists
122,000
Air Passengers
50,193
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Sierra Leone has 0.13 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.13/1k
Hospital Beds
0.4/1k
Health Spend
$36/person
Infant Mortality
56.2/1k
Immunization
90%
Safe Drinking Water
68.1%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
24.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Sierra Leone, 21% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 108 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
20.6%
Mobile Subs
108/100
Electricity Access
35.5%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data