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Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone
Quick facts
Capital
Freetown
Population
6.2 m
Area
71,740 km²
Region
Western Africa
Languages
English
Currency
Sierra Leonean leone (Le)
Demonym
Sierra Leonean
UN member
Yes
How Sierra Leone compares
Economy size$7.0 B
155th of 178 worldwide · 12th of 16 in Western Africa
Income per person$807
167th of 178 worldwide · 15th of 16 in Western Africa
Life expectancy62.0 yrs
168th of 179 worldwide · 10th of 16 in Western Africa
Internet access25.1%
159th of 179 worldwide · 15th of 16 in Western Africa
Military spending$36 M
148th of 163 worldwide · 12th of 16 in Western Africa
Highlights
GDP
$7.0 B
World Bank2024

Gross Domestic Product — the total market value of all goods and services produced in a year, at current prices.

GDP per capita
$807
World Bank2024

GDP divided by population — a rough measure of average economic output per person.

Population
8.6 m
World Bank2024

Total resident population, mid-year estimate.

Life expectancy
62.0 yrs
World Bank2024

Years a newborn would live if current mortality patterns held throughout its life.

Internet users
25.1%
ITU / World Bank2024

Share of the population that used the internet in the last three months.

Mobile subscriptions
108
ITU / World Bank2022

Active mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 people.

Land area
72,180 km²
World Bank2023

Total land area, excluding inland water bodies.

Forest area
34.3%
World Bank2023

Share of land area under forest cover.

Resource rents
9.0%
World Bank2021

Total natural-resource rents (oil, gas, mineral, forest) as a share of GDP.

Oil rents
0.0%
World Bank2021

Value of crude oil production minus extraction cost, as a share of GDP.

Military burden
0.5%
SIPRI / World Bank2024

Military expenditure as a share of GDP.

Defense spending
$36 M
SIPRI / World Bank2024

Total military expenditure at current prices.

The history journey

From the Mende, Temne, and Sherbro of the Rice Coast through Bunce Island and the Atlantic slave trade to Freetown's 'Province of Freedom', the Krio, the Hut Tax War, independence, and a brutal civil war survived.

Pilot a cinematic, sourced journey through its eras — moment by moment.

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