Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

Sierra Leone Population Pyramid 1978

Sierra Leone
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1978
Population: 3,145,517

Year

-5 -1   1978  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Summary

Sierra Leone in 1978

As of 1978, Sierra Leone counted 3,145,517 inhabitants. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 20.4%, up from 2,611,531 in 1968.

Half of the population was younger than 19.3 years; 41.7% were children under 15 and 4.2% were 65 or older. This is an expansive pyramid — each cohort of children is larger than the one above it, the signature of high birth rates and rapid growth.

Ranks #114 of 201 by population Ranks #98 of 201 by median age Ranks #121 of 201 by growth

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Key indicators for Sierra Leone
Population
3,145,517
Median age
19.3
0-14 %
41.7%
65+ %
4.2%
Child dependency
77.0
Old-age dependency
7.7
Region
AFRICA
Pyramid shape
Expansive
Population 2050
12,948,325
Population 2100
15,934,257
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234567
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 3.79

In 2023 women in Sierra Leone had on average 3.79 children, above the replacement level of 2.1.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
203040506070
19602023 · 61.8

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 61.8 years on average (63.5 years for girls, 60.1 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
22456890
19502100
Migration to and from Sierra Leone
Where immigrants come from (2024)

49,156 immigrants live in Sierra Leone, 0.6% of the population.

Guinea33,542
Liberia8,462
Nigeria2,024
India892
Ghana874
Where emigrants live (2024)

63,631 people born in Sierra Leone live in other countries.

Senegal15,843
Liberia13,878
Guinea8,065
Nigeria4,679
Australia4,218
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How Sierra Leone compares with its neighbours
Country Population Median age Relative size
Sierra Leone 3,145,517 19.3
Togo 2,768,148 16.9
Benin 3,718,305 17.5
Liberia 1,818,248 18.1
Guinea 4,877,854 19.0
Frequently asked questions about Sierra Leone's population
How many people lived in Sierra Leone in 1978?
In 1978, Sierra Leone's population was 3,145,517.
Is the population of Sierra Leone increasing or decreasing?
Yes, growing: up 20.4% from 1968, with a projected population of 12,948,325 in 2050.
How old is the population of Sierra Leone?
The median age in Sierra Leone is 19.3 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in Sierra Leone?
In Sierra Leone, 41.7% of people are under 15 and 4.2% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does Sierra Leone have?
Sierra Leone's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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