Sierra Leone: housing

How many people live in a household in Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone's households had 4.25 people on average in 2021, according to the preliminary report of the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census by Stats SL. The census counted 7,548,702 people, of whom 15,135 lived in institutions.

Average household size was largest in the Eastern region, at 4.68, and smallest in the Western Area, at 3.92. The census found 97.6 males for every 100 females. These are preliminary results; final figures may differ.

Official sources: 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census

How many people in Sierra Leone have electricity?

39.2% of Sierra Leone's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank. The share was 22.7% in 2019 and 29.4% in 2022.

The 2019 Demographic and Health Survey found that 23% of households had electricity that year, 51% in urban areas but only 2% in rural areas. Access means having a connection or an off-grid source such as solar power that provides electricity at home; it does not measure whether the supply is reliable.

Official sources: World Bank · 2019 Demographic and Health Survey

How many households in Sierra Leone have safe drinking water?

67% of households in Sierra Leone used an improved source of drinking water in 2019, according to the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey: 92% in urban areas and 49% in rural areas.

Improved sources, such as piped water, protected wells and boreholes, are designed to protect water from contamination, but they are not always safe. Only 10.9% of the population used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to the World Bank; that requires water on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination.

Official sources: 2019 Demographic and Health Survey · 10.9% of the population

How many people in Sierra Leone have a proper toilet?

55% of Sierra Leone's population had access to an improved sanitation facility in 2019, according to the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey. 27% used an unimproved facility and 18% practised open defecation.

Access was highest in the Western Area, at 89% of households, and lowest in the Northern province, at 37%. Open defecation was most common in the Southern province, at 41%. Only 16.8% of the population used safely managed sanitation in 2024, according to the World Bank, which requires waste to be safely disposed of or treated.

Official sources: 2019 Demographic and Health Survey · 16.8% of the population

What fuel do households in Sierra Leone cook with?

97% of households in Sierra Leone used some kind of solid fuel for cooking in 2019, according to the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey. 64% used wood, and only 1% used clean fuel.

Burning solid fuels such as wood and charcoal produces smoke that can harm health, especially when cooking takes place indoors. Cooking was done inside the house in 3% of households, 6% in urban areas and 1% in rural areas. In 26% of households someone smoked inside the house every day.

Official sources: 2019 Demographic and Health Survey

How many people in Sierra Leone's towns live in slums?

49.3% of Sierra Leone's urban population lived in slums in 2022, according to the World Bank. The share was 53.4% in 2018 and 61.6% in 2012.

A slum household lacks one or more of improved water, improved sanitation, durable housing, enough living space or secure tenure. The urban population itself is growing: 45.9% of people lived in towns and cities in 2025, up from 43.2% in 2020. The figures come from the UN-Habitat estimates published by the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank · 45.9% of people

What share of Sierra Leone is urban?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in Sierra Leone was 45.9%, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 21st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.9%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 136th highest.

What share of Sierra Leone's city dwellers live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Sierra Leone was 49.3%, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 48.7%, and Sierra Leone placed 23rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 32nd of 170.

How many people in Sierra Leone have electricity?

39.2%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in Sierra Leone for 2024, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 38th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.8%. Worldwide: 183rd of 193.

What is access to safe water in Sierra Leone?

10.9%: that is the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Sierra Leone for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.2%; Sierra Leone is 23rd highest of 25. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 131st highest.

What is access to sanitation in Sierra Leone?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 16.8%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 23.6%; Sierra Leone is 20th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 121st of 134.

How many people in Sierra Leone cook with wood or charcoal?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Sierra Leone at 2.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; Sierra Leone is 38th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 182nd of 192.