Capital: Freetown
Population
Total Population:
8,819,794
Natural Increase:
2.0%
Density:
117 Inhabitants/km²
Urban Population:
45.9%
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
Literacy Rate:
34.8%
Local Time:
It is %T:%M %A In Freetown
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
Mobile phone subscriptions:
107.9 per 100 Inhabitants
Internet Users:
20.6 per 100 Inhabitants
Access to Electricity:
35.5% of the Population
All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: July 2026
Sierra Leone: Statistical Overview
