Sierra Leone Population: How Many People Live in Sierra Leone?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Sierra Leone? The current Sierra Leone population is 8 642 022 people in 2024. Sierra Leone has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 2 268 356 people in 1960, the population has grown to 8 642 022 in 2023, representing a growth of 6 373 666 people (+281.0%).
The country reached its peak population of 8 642 022 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Sierra Leone's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Sierra Leone (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Sierra Leone's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Sierra Leone.
📊 Sierra Leone Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 268 356 | |
| 1970 | 2 712 286 | +443 930 (+19.6%) |
| 1980 | 3 272 089 | +559 803 (+20.6%) |
| 1990 | 4 196 828 | +924 739 (+28.3%) |
| 2000 | 4 423 611 | +226 783 (+5.4%) |
| 2010 | 6 222 714 | +1 799 103 (+40.7%) |
| 2020 | 7 912 558 | +1 689 844 (+27.2%) |
| 2024 | 8 642 022 | +729 464 (+9.2%) |
This table presents Sierra Leone's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Sierra Leone without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Sierra Leone (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 268 356 | |
| 1961 | 2 304 227 | +35 871 |
| 1962 | 2 342 242 | +38 015 |
| 1963 | 2 382 258 | +40 016 |
| 1964 | 2 424 390 | +42 132 |
| 1965 | 2 468 666 | +44 276 |
| 1966 | 2 514 638 | +45 972 |
| 1967 | 2 562 384 | +47 746 |
| 1968 | 2 611 532 | +49 148 |
| 1969 | 2 661 365 | +49 833 |
| 1970 | 2 712 286 | +50 921 |
| 1971 | 2 763 222 | +50 936 |
| 1972 | 2 814 388 | +51 166 |
| 1973 | 2 866 955 | +52 567 |
| 1974 | 2 920 459 | +53 504 |
| 1975 | 2 974 657 | +54 198 |
| 1976 | 3 028 820 | +54 163 |
| 1977 | 3 085 354 | +56 534 |
| 1978 | 3 145 517 | +60 163 |
| 1979 | 3 207 499 | +61 982 |
| 1980 | 3 272 089 | +64 590 |
| 1981 | 3 338 940 | +66 851 |
| 1982 | 3 408 183 | +69 243 |
| 1983 | 3 481 646 | +73 463 |
| 1984 | 3 558 758 | +77 112 |
| 1985 | 3 638 438 | +79 680 |
| 1986 | 3 728 380 | +89 942 |
| 1987 | 3 829 718 | +101 338 |
| 1988 | 3 934 517 | +104 799 |
| 1989 | 4 034 037 | +99 520 |
| 1990 | 4 196 828 | +162 791 |
| 1991 | 4 246 267 | +49 439 |
| 1992 | 4 166 366 | -79 901 |
| 1993 | 4 157 130 | -9 236 |
| 1994 | 4 173 105 | +15 975 |
| 1995 | 4 179 179 | +6 074 |
| 1996 | 4 199 210 | +20 031 |
| 1997 | 4 253 716 | +54 506 |
| 1998 | 4 295 785 | +42 069 |
| 1999 | 4 318 043 | +22 258 |
| 2000 | 4 423 611 | +105 568 |
| 2001 | 4 692 716 | +269 105 |
| 2002 | 4 971 435 | +278 719 |
| 2003 | 5 177 687 | +206 252 |
| 2004 | 5 355 717 | +178 030 |
| 2005 | 5 501 712 | +145 995 |
| 2006 | 5 624 466 | +122 754 |
| 2007 | 5 749 352 | +124 886 |
| 2008 | 5 894 722 | +145 370 |
| 2009 | 6 055 646 | +160 924 |
| 2010 | 6 222 714 | +167 068 |
| 2011 | 6 387 251 | +164 537 |
| 2012 | 6 551 080 | +163 829 |
| 2013 | 6 714 051 | +162 971 |
| 2014 | 6 876 385 | +162 334 |
| 2015 | 7 037 655 | +161 270 |
| 2016 | 7 205 328 | +167 673 |
| 2017 | 7 379 299 | +173 971 |
| 2018 | 7 554 563 | +175 264 |
| 2019 | 7 731 991 | +177 428 |
| 2020 | 7 912 558 | +180 567 |
| 2021 | 8 094 602 | +182 044 |
| 2022 | 8 276 807 | +182 205 |
| 2023 | 8 460 512 | +183 705 |
| 2024 | 8 642 022 | +181 510 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Sierra Leone from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Sierra Leone Population
What is the current population of Sierra Leone?
The population of Sierra Leone is estimated to be approximately 8 642 022 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Sierra Leone growing?
Sierra Leone has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.11% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 6 373 666 people (+281.0%) over this 64-year period.
How does Sierra Leone's population compare to other countries?
Sierra Leone ranks #147 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 8 642 022 people, Sierra Leone accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Sierra Leone changed over time?
Over the past decades, Sierra Leone's population has increased from 2 268 356 people in 1960 to 8 642 022 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 8 642 022 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 2 268 356 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 8 642 022 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 8 642 022 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 2 268 356 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Sierra Leone?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Sierra Leone include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Sierra Leone?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Sierra Leone from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.