Sierra Leone: official statistics and sources
14 official bodies for Sierra Leone, from Statistics Sierra Leone to Anti-Corruption Commission, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official language: English. Capital: Freetown.
Who holds power in Sierra Leone
- Head of state: Julius Maada Bio (President of the Republic of Sierra Leone)
- Head of government: The head of state leads the government (no prime minister listed)
- Foreign minister: Mohamed Rahman Swaray (Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary presidential republic. How local power works in Sierra Leone: 4 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Sierra Leone: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- All 5 provinces: Eastern Province, Southern Province, Northern Province, Western Area, North West Province
- The 4 largest cities: Freetown
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 8.8 million for Sierra Leone in 2025, against 7.0 million in 2015. Of the 48 UN members in the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region, 28 have more people; worldwide it comes 100th.
Sierra Leone's economy produced $7.5 billion of goods and services in 2025, in current US dollars. That works out at $846 a head; the regional median is $1,351.
Real GDP grew by 4.6% in 2025, World Bank figures show. For 2026 the IMF expects 4.0%.
Across 2025 the annual rate was 7.5%. The IMF forecasts 13.8% for 2026.
The ILO's modelled unemployment rate for 2025 is 3.2%; the national statistics office may publish a different figure from its own survey.
The IMF records general government gross debt of 51.4% of GDP for 2025, compared with a median of 53.1% across the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region; its 2026 projection is 50.1%.
Life expectancy at birth: 62.0 years (2024).
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 47.6% (2023), lowest 6.7% (2015).
- Debt ratio 2015: 28.4%; 2025: 51.4%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: minus 12%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Sierra Leone
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- Statistics Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone's consumer price index, census, GDP and household survey data.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Bank of Sierra Leone
Monetary policy rate decisions, exchange rates, economic bulletins and annual reports.
Government
- State House (Office of the President)
Presidential press releases, Cabinet news and official announcements.
Laws and the official gazette the text of laws
- Sierra Leone Legal Information Institute (SierraLII)
Acts, statutory instruments and court judgments of Sierra Leone.
Courts judgments
- Judiciary of Sierra Leone
Judicial news, court information and practice directions for the Supreme Court and lower courts.
Public audit how public money was spent
- Audit Service Sierra Leone
The Auditor General's annual reports on public accounts and performance audits.
Elections results and rules
- Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone
Election results, voter registration figures and electoral timetables.
Regulators
- National Communications Authority (NATCA)
Telecoms licensing, spectrum decisions and sector regulations.
- Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission
Electricity and water tariff decisions and utility licences.
Ombudsman
- Office of the Ombudsman
Reports on complaints against public officials and institutions.
Access to information requests to public bodies
- Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC)
Decisions on information requests and complaints, proactive disclosure guidance, regulations and annual reports on the Right to Access Information Act.
Public registers companies, land, charities
- National Land Commission
Land policy implementation, land administration information and notices on state and private land.
- Anti-Corruption Commission
Anti-corruption investigations and reports, and administration of asset declarations by public officers.
Public contracts government tenders and awards
- National Public Procurement Authority
Procurement regulations, procurement plans, contract awards, and lists of debarred suppliers.
Freedom of information in Sierra Leone
| Law | Right to Access Information Act, 2013 (2013) |
|---|---|
| Answered by | A public information officer in each public authority. |
| Time limit | 15 working days |
| Appeals to | Right to Access Information Commission (review), then the High Court |
The Commission may extend the time limit by up to 15 working days on application. The Right to Access Information Regulations, 2022 are published by the Commission.
What Sierra Leone does not have
- The Corporate Affairs Commission site (cac.gov.sl) did not respond today and the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General site returned 500, so no company register is listed.
- No official charity or NGO register online was found.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Sierra Leone by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Sierra Leone, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Sierra Leone. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Cities of Sierra Leone the largest cities, with their figures
- Local government in Sierra Leone how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 5: Devolved and state governments
- Regions of Sierra Leone 5 regions, states or provinces
Level 6: National government
- Sierra Leone: national government this page
- Government and power in Sierra Leone who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Sierra Leone?
8.8 million (2025, World Bank). National figures: Statistics Sierra Leone.
What is the inflation rate in Sierra Leone?
7.5% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Statistics Sierra Leone.
What is Sierra Leone's GDP?
$7.5 billion (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Sierra Leone have?
51.4% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Sierra Leone?
Statistics Sierra Leone: https://www.statistics.sl/
Is there a freedom of information law in Sierra Leone?
Right to Access Information Act, 2013 (2013). Time limit: 15 working days. Appeals: Right to Access Information Commission (review), then the High Court.
What is the central bank of Sierra Leone?
Bank of Sierra Leone: https://bsl.gov.sl/
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