Population and Demographics of Sierra Leone
Population changed +2.15% in 2024 · median age 19 years
The longer record adds perspective: the population changed by +95.3% between 2000 and 2024. The medium projection reaches 12.95 million in 2050, placing the mid-century total 49.8% above 2024.
Population Over Time in Sierra Leone
Over the 24 years from 2000 to 2024, Sierra Leone added roughly 4.22 million people, leaving the 2024 total at 8.642M. Looking ahead, the medium projection points to 12.948M in 2050, 49.8% higher than the 2024 level. The chart connects dated reference points only and should not be read as an annual interpolated series.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
Broad age shares place Sierra Leone in a very young demographic position in 2024. Under-15s account for 38.09% of residents and people 65+ for 3.24%, leaving 58.67% in the broad 15 to 64 range. The age balance is weighted toward younger residents.
Population by broad age group
In the World Bank 2024 series, females account for 50.1% of Sierra Leone's population and males 49.9%. The split is close to even.
Female and male population share
The World Bank's 2024 series shows a nearly even sex balance: 50.1% female and 49.9% male.
What Is Shaping Population Change
Sierra Leone's 2024 demographic snapshot includes +2.15% annual change plus fertility of 3.7, while the age balance leans younger, based on 38.09% under 15 versus 3.24% at 65-plus.
Population change before the projection period is +95.3% for Sierra Leone between 2000 and 2024, followed by +49.8% projected change from 2024 to 2050; the figures describe direction, not a causal split between migration and natural change.
2024 estimate for Sierra Leone. The world comparison value is 2.25 children per woman.
Sierra Leone vs. World
Using one 2024 comparison table keeps the context consistent. Sierra Leone's population change is higher than the global rate, fertility is above the global level, and its population is younger than the world median-age profile.
| Indicator | Sierra Leone | World | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual population change | +2.15% | +0.87% | 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 3.7 | 2.25 | 2024 |
| Median age | 19 | 30.6 | 2024 |
The table is built for like-for-like comparison, using 2024 values from a single harmonized source context linked to UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Key Takeaways
Sierra Leone has 8,642,022 people in the 2024 estimate, with the population changing +2.15% over the year.
Broad age shares show 3.24% aged 65+ compared with 38.09% under 15; the 15 to 64 group accounts for 58.67%.
The 2024 female and male shares are 50.1% and 49.9% respectively.
By 2050, the medium projection is 12.948M, differing from 2024 by roughly 4.31 million people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sierra Leone?
The 2024 harmonized population estimate for Sierra Leone is 8,642,022 people.
Is the population of Sierra Leone growing or declining?
In the 2024 estimate, Sierra Leone's population is growing, with annual change of +2.15%.
What percentage of the population of Sierra Leone is aged 65 or older?
People aged 65 or older account for 3.24% of Sierra Leone's 2024 population in the UN WPP-based broad age data.
What is the projected population of Sierra Leone in 2050?
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium projection puts Sierra Leone's 2050 population at 12,948,325.
What is the fertility rate in Sierra Leone?
The 2024 harmonized fertility estimate for Sierra Leone is 3.7 children per woman.
Sources & methodology
This profile uses United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the primary framework for globally comparable population, age, fertility and projection data. The World Bank is the primary source for the female population share. Some country values were accessed through secondary retrieval interfaces that republish or organize UN data; those interfaces are identified below as secondary and are not treated as the original statistical publishers.
View sources used for this page
Primary global framework for the population estimates and projections.
Harmonized 2024 country table based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized broad age shares based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized reference for the 2000 population point.
Harmonized 2050 country projection based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Used for the 2024 female share; the male share is calculated as the remainder to 100%.