Sierra Leone Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Sierra Leone's trade balance was $-558.7M in 2025, ranked 97th globally. This represents a 33.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1964–2025.
Overview
Sierra Leone's trade balance stood at $-558.7M in 2025, a decline of +$139.4M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-558.7M by 2025. Sierra Leone ranked 97th globally.
Sierra Leone's trade balance has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 62 years, ranging from a peak of $151,227,163.68 in 1988 to a trough of -$1,195,646,333.71 in 2011. The country's trade balance has generally trended downward, with the latest available figure in 2025 standing at -$558,677,967.33, ranking it 97th globally. This is comparable to Finland's trade balance, which ranked slightly worse at -$513,688,332.14 in the same year. The country's trade deficit has been a persistent issue, with a few brief periods of surplus, particularly in the late 1980s. The trade balance's decline is likely linked to Sierra Leone's reliance on imports, driven by its relatively small domestic market and limited manufacturing sector. A shift towards more diversified exports, such as minerals and agricultural products, could potentially alter the trajectory of Sierra Leone's trade balance and reduce its reliance on imports.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-449.6M | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-504.2M | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-558.7M | - | - |
| 2025 | $-558.7M | −$139.4M | #97 |
| 2024 | $-419.3M | +$437.9M | #74 |
| 2023 | $-857.1M | −$38.7M | #72 |
| 2022 | $-818.4M | −$26.6M | #82 |
| 2021 | $-791.8M | −$67.3M | #71 |
| 2020 | $-724.5M | +$461.1M | #74 |
| 2019 | $-1.2B | −$233.4M | #66 |
| 2018 | $-952.2M | −$157.5M | #76 |
| 2017 | $-794.6M | +$108.4M | #74 |
| 2016 | $-903.1M | +$150.0M | #73 |
| 2015 | $-1.1B | −$231.4M | #79 |
| 2014 | $-821.6M | +$340.2M | #79 |
| 2013 | $-1.2B | −$412.7M | #78 |
| 2012 | $-749.1M | +$446.5M | #87 |
| 2011 | $-1.2B | −$847.4M | #74 |
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 trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sierra Leone's trade balance was $-558.7M in 2025. Ranked 97th globally. This represents a 33.3% decrease from the previous year.
Sierra Leone's trade balance peaked at $151.2M in 1988.
The lowest trade balance in Sierra Leone was $-1.2B in 2011.
Sierra Leone ranks 97th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sierra Leone's trade balance is projected to reach $-558.7M by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Sierra Leone in 2025 was $-558.7M. This ranks 97th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sierra-leone_trade-balance,
title = {Sierra Leone Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sierra-leone/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}