Sierra Leone Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Sierra Leone's population growth was 2.09% in 2025, ranked 49th globally. This represents a 1.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Sierra Leone's population growth stood at 2.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.09% by 2025. Sierra Leone ranked 49th globally.
Sierra Leone's population growth rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past six and a half decades, with the all-time peak occurring in 2001 at 5.91% and the all-time trough in 1992 at -1.90%. Despite a relatively stable growth rate in recent years, the country currently ranks #49 globally with a population growth rate of 2.09% as of 2025. This growth rate is comparable to that of peer countries such as Gabon, which has a similar rate of 2.09%. In contrast, Afghanistan has maintained a slightly higher growth rate of 2.13%. Throughout the period, Sierra Leone's population growth rate has been influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, healthcare access, and fertility rates. As the country continues to develop and address these underlying factors, its population growth rate is expected to stabilize and potentially decline, driven by declining fertility rates and improvements in access to family planning services.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.00% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.05% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.09% | −0.03pp | #49 |
| 2024 | 2.12% | −0.07pp | #170 |
| 2023 | 2.20% | −0.03pp | #167 |
| 2022 | 2.23% | −0.05pp | #173 |
| 2021 | 2.27% | −0.03pp | #182 |
| 2020 | 2.31% | −0.01pp | #179 |
| 2019 | 2.32% | −0.03pp | #175 |
| 2018 | 2.35% | −0.04pp | #175 |
| 2017 | 2.39% | +0.03pp | #174 |
| 2016 | 2.35% | +0.04pp | #172 |
| 2015 | 2.32% | −0.07pp | #167 |
| 2014 | 2.39% | −0.07pp | #167 |
| 2013 | 2.46% | −0.08pp | #170 |
| 2012 | 2.53% | −0.08pp | #172 |
| 2011 | 2.61% | −0.11pp | #177 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sierra Leone matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sierra Leone's population growth was 2.09% in 2025. Ranked 49th globally. This represents a 1.5% decrease from the previous year.
Sierra Leone's population growth peaked at 5.91% in 2001.
The lowest population growth in Sierra Leone was -1.90% in 1992.
Sierra Leone ranks 49th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sierra Leone's population growth is projected to reach 2.09% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Sierra Leone in 2025 was 2.09%. This ranks 49th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sierra-leone_population-growth,
title = {Sierra Leone Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sierra-leone/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}