Sierra Leone Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 100th most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
9,052,008
The population of Sierra Leone is about 9,052,008 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 9.0 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.11% of the world's people.
Sierra Leone is ranked 100th of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 2.0% a year, roughly 495 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 12.9 million. That is 4.0 times its 1960 population of 2.3 million. Population density is 125 people per square kilometre. 46% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
9.0 million
Yearly change
+2.01%
World rank
100th
Share of world
0.11%
Density
125/km²
Land area
72,180 km²
Life expectancy
62.0 yrs
Births per woman
3.70
GDP per capita
$846
GDP
$7.5B
Population of Sierra Leone, 1960–2050
Sierra Leone population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,268,356 | — | 31 |
| 1970 | 2,712,286 | +1.91% | 38 |
| 1980 | 3,272,089 | +2.01% | 45 |
| 1990 | 4,196,828 | +4.04% | 58 |
| 2000 | 4,423,611 | +2.44% | 61 |
| 2010 | 6,222,714 | +2.76% | 86 |
| 2020 | 7,912,558 | +2.34% | 110 |
| 2024 | 8,642,022 | +2.15% | 120 |
| 2026proj. | 8,996,745 | +2.01% | 125 |
| 2030proj. | 9,694,858 | +1.83% | 134 |
| 2040proj. | 11,398,400 | +1.50% | 158 |
| 2050proj. | 12,948,325 | +1.12% | 179 |
Sierra Leone vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 19.8 times as many people as Sierra Leone. Bangladesh is 11.0 times more densely populated.
Sierra Leone population: questions and answers
What is the population of Sierra Leone in 2026?
About 8,996,745 (9.0 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Sierra Leone's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.01% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Sierra Leone?
About 125 people per km², with a land area of 72,180 km².
What will the population of Sierra Leone be in 2050?
About 12.9 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Sierra Leone?
Freetown.
What is the life expectancy in Sierra Leone?
62.0 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.