SLE · Sub-Saharan Africa / Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding high income)

Location

GDP per capita: 807 USD (PPP: 3,522 intl$) · Total GDP: 7.0 billion USD (2024)

Income and purchasing power

The average monthly income in Sierra Leone is 68 USD per month. This compares to prices and purchasing power compared to the United States.

Compare cost of living and purchasing power →

Economic performance 2024

Indicator Value Per Capita
GDP 6.97 billion USD 807 USD
Gross National Product (GNI) 820 USD
GDP (PPP) 3,522 intl$

Development of gross domestic product in billions of USD 1960 - 2024

Year GDP (billions USD) GDP per capita (USD)
2024 6.97 807
2023 6.42 758
2022 7.12 860
2021 7.17 885
2020 6.69 845
2019 6.52 844
2018 6.39 846
2017 5.75 779
2016 6.08 844
2015 6.79 965
2014 7.69 1,118
2013 7.50 1,117
2012 6.14 938
2011 4.86 761
2010 4.26 685
2009 3.95 653
2008 4.16 705
2007 3.63 632
2006 3.26 580
2005 2.55 463
2004 2.24 418
2003 2.14 414
2002 1.93 389
2001 1.68 358
2000 0.64 144
1999 0.67 155
1998 0.67 157
1997 0.85 200
1996 0.94 224
1995 0.87 208
1994 0.91 219
1993 0.77 185
1992 0.68 163
1991 0.78 184
1990 0.65 155
1989 0.93 231
1988 1.06 268
1987 0.66 172
1986 0.49 131
1985 0.86 236
1984 1.09 306
1983 1.00 286
1982 1.30 380
1981 1.11 334
1980 1.10 336
1979 1.11 346
1978 0.96 305
1977 0.69 224
1976 0.59 196
1975 0.68 228
1974 0.65 222
1973 0.58 201
1972 0.47 165
1971 0.42 152
1970 0.43 160
1969 0.41 154
1968 0.33 126
1967 0.35 136
1966 0.38 149
1965 0.36 146
1964 0.37 153
1963 0.35 146
1962 0.34 146
1961 0.33 142
1960 0.32 142

Largest economic sectors

The main economic sectors in Sierra Leone play a crucial role in the country's economic development and prosperity. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

Primary Sectors

  • Banking and financial services
  • Construction and real estate
  • Manufacturing (metals, steel)
  • Information technology

Supporting Sectors

  • Logistics and transportation
  • Tourism and hospitality
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Energy and utilities

Note: Detailed sector breakdown data is being collected and will be updated soon.

Imports and Exports 2024

Indicator Sierra Leone Per Capita
Imports 1.62 billion USD (23.3% of GDP)
Exports 1.20 billion USD (17.3% of GDP)

Household debt and deficits 2024

Data on government debt, budget deficit/surplus, and household debt is being collected.

Note: Household debt data represents domestic credit to private sector (% of GDP) from World Bank. This indicator includes credit to both households and non-financial corporations, providing an approximation of household debt levels.

Corruption in Sierra Leone

The Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024 will be displayed here once the data is available. This section will show the country's ranking and trends in corruption perception.

Data source: Transparency International

Unemployment rates in percentages 1991 - 2025

The unemployment rate is calculated as the percentage of unemployed persons in the total labor force. Data source: ILOSTAT

Year Unemployment Rate (%)
2025 3.2%
2024 3.1%
2023 3.1%
2022 3.1%
2021 3.6%
2020 3.5%
2019 3.2%
2018 3.2%
2017 3.7%
2016 4.2%
2015 4.5%
2014 4.7%
2013 4.4%
2012 4.4%
2011 4.4%
2010 4.3%
2009 4.3%
2008 4.1%
2007 4.0%
2006 3.9%
2005 3.7%
2004 3.4%
2003 3.9%
2002 3.9%
2001 4.2%
2000 4.1%
1999 4.3%
1998 4.2%
1997 4.4%
1996 4.3%
1995 4.3%
1994 4.5%
1993 4.4%
1992 4.4%
1991 4.1%

Inflation rates in percentages 2007 - 2024

Year Inflation Rate (%)
2024 28.6%
2023 47.6%
2022 27.2%
2021 11.9%
2020 13.4%
2019 14.8%
2018 16.0%
2017 18.2%
2016 10.9%
2015 6.7%
2014 4.6%
2013 5.5%
2012 6.6%
2011 6.8%
2010 7.2%
2009 7.5%
2008 8.2%
2007 11.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GDP per capita of Sierra Leone in 2024?

The GDP per capita of Sierra Leone is 807 USD in 2024. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), the GDP per capita is 3,522 international dollars. This indicator measures the economic output per person and is a key metric for comparing economic prosperity across countries.

What are the main industries in Sierra Leone?

The main economic sectors in Sierra Leone include banking and financial services, construction and real estate, manufacturing (metals, steel), and information technology. Supporting sectors include logistics and transportation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food processing, and energy and utilities. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

What is the inflation rate in Sierra Leone in 2024?

The inflation rate in Sierra Leone is 28.6% in 2024. Inflation measures the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. This data is updated regularly from reliable sources like the World Bank and IMF.

Explore key economic indicators of Sierra Leone including GDP, inflation, unemployment, and trade data. This page provides up-to-date statistics and visual insights based on official international sources such as World Bank, IMF, and ILO.

Our comprehensive database allows you to compare Sierra Leone's economic performance with other countries and understand global economic trends. Access current economic indicators, historical data, and comparative analysis to gain a deeper understanding of Sierra Leone's economic landscape. For demographic data, visit our population statistics section.

Data Sources

All economic data presented on this page is sourced from reputable international organizations and updated regularly.

  • World Bank: GDP, inflation, unemployment, trade, and economic indicators
  • IMF (International Monetary Fund): Economic indicators and financial statistics
  • OECD: Economic and social statistics
  • Transparency International: Corruption perception index
  • Numbeo: Cost of living data

Data is updated monthly. Last update: June 2026