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Sheet 155 of 195 · AfricaSLE · 8.7°N 11.8°W

Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone

Capital
Freetown
Population
8.82 million 2025
Area
71,740 km²
Neighbours
2
Locator map of Sierra LeoneSIERRA LEONEFreetownGUINEALIBERIANorthAtlantic Ocean0100 km
Sierra Leone hatched, Freetown marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 8.5°N 11.8°W; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Sierra Leone is a country in Western Africa bordered by Guinea and Liberia. Its area of 71,740 km² puts it 117th in the world and 40th of 54 in Africa.

Its population was 8.82 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 95th-smallest of the 194 countries with data. On average, 123 people live on each km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 45.9% in 2025.

GDP per capita was US$846 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 181st of 191 and 44th of 52 in Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 62.0 years in 2024.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North to south it runs about 344 km, between 6.9°N and 10.0°N. Freetown's antipode is in the South Pacific Ocean, about 260 km from the Solomon Islands, the nearest land.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population8,819,7942025, World Bank100th of 19433rd of 54
Area71,740 km²world-countries117th of 19540th of 54
GDPUS$7.5 billion2025, World Bank, current US$156th of 19140th of 52
GDP per capitaUS$8462025, World Bank, current US$181st of 19144th of 52
Population density123 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries73rd of 19415th of 54
Life expectancy62.0 years2024, World Bank183rd of 19443rd of 54
Urban population45.9%2025, World Bank137th of 19426th of 54
Forest area34.0% of land2024, World Bank92nd of 19417th of 54
Population growth+2.04% a year2025, World Bank47th of 19434th of 54
Internet users25.1%2024, World Bank172nd of 18840th of 53
Fertility rate3.70 births per woman2024, World Bank35th of 19432nd of 54
Land neighbours2world-countries; among the 195112th of 19541st of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaIreland, Georgia and Panama

Closest in populationTogo, Belarus and Switzerland

Neighbours 2 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Guinea128 km
    Freetown to Conakry, capital to capital
  • Liberia360 km
    Freetown to Monrovia, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern and Western
Capital
Freetown
8.47°N 13.24°W
Northernmost latitude
10.00°N
Southernmost latitude
6.91°N
Westernmost longitude
13.29°W
Easternmost longitude
10.28°W
North to south
about 344 km
Antipode of Freetown
8.47°S 166.76°E
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 260 km from the nearest land (Solomon Islands)