Sierra Leone: environment

How much of Sierra Leone is covered by forest?

Forest covered 34.0% of Sierra Leone's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank, using data from the Food and Agriculture Organization. The share was 35.4% in 2019 and 35.1% in 2020.

Forest means land of more than half a hectare with trees taller than five metres and a canopy covering more than 10% of the area. The share has fallen by about 0.27 percentage points each year. The 2025 Annual School Census reports that schools named deforestation as the leading cause of the environmental threats they face.

Official sources: World Bank

How much of Sierra Leone's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 71.6% of Sierra Leone's final energy consumption in 2022, according to the World Bank. The share was 75.4% in 2019 and 71.1% in 2021.

The figure counts all renewable energy, including traditional biomass such as firewood and charcoal, as well as hydropower and solar. The 2019 Demographic and Health Survey found that 97% of households cooked with solid fuel, and 64% with wood. A high renewable share therefore includes wood burned for cooking.

Official sources: World Bank

How polluted is the air in Sierra Leone?

People in Sierra Leone were exposed to an average of 22.5 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The level was 22.4 in 2022 and 24.1 in 2018.

PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a population-weighted annual average estimated from satellite data and models, not from a national monitoring network. It measures outdoor air, not smoke inside homes.

Official sources: World Bank

How much greenhouse gas does Sierra Leone emit?

Sierra Leone emitted 7.93 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent, in 2024, according to the World Bank. Emissions were 7.79 million tonnes in 2023 and 6.70 million tonnes in 2019.

The total covers carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, but excludes land use, land-use change and forestry. With a population of more than 8 million, emissions are roughly one tonne per person. Emissions rose 18% between 2019 and 2024.

Official sources: World Bank

How much CO2 does Sierra Leone emit per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.2 tonnes. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 0.2 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 0.1 tonnes. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Sierra Leone is 35th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 170th highest.

What are Sierra Leone's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 7.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 36th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 147th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Sierra Leone use?

71.6%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Sierra Leone for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 88.1%; its low point was 2021, at 71.1%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 70.0%; Sierra Leone is 9th highest of 23. World rank, highest first: 10th of 53.

What is Sierra Leone's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Sierra Leone was 34.0% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Sierra Leone is 17th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Sierra Leone?

22.5 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Sierra Leone for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 26.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2015 and the low 20.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Sierra Leone placed 29th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 69th highest.

What share of Sierra Leone is protected land?

12.6%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Sierra Leone for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. Since 2013 it has ranged from 9.4% (2013) to 12.7% (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Sierra Leone placed 34th highest of 48. Worldwide: 135th of 192.

What is water stress in Sierra Leone?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 0.5%. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Sierra Leone is 41st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 165th of 175.