Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

Sierra Leone Population Pyramid 1981

Sierra Leone
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1981
Population: 3,338,940

Year

-5 -1   1981  +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 1981

In 1981, Sierra Leone had a total population of 3,338,940 people. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 20.8%, up from 2,763,222 in 1971.

With a median age of 19.1 years, Sierra Leone had a youth dependency ratio of 78.1 and an old-age dependency ratio of 7.7 per 100 people of working age. 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 #116 of 201 by population Ranks #111 of 201 by median age Ranks #116 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
3,338,940
Median age
19.1
0-14 %
42.0%
65+ %
4.1%
Child dependency
78.1
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 3,338,940 19.1
Togo 3,013,043 16.9
Benin 4,038,307 17.3
Liberia 1,986,867 17.9
Guinea 5,143,289 18.7
Frequently asked questions about Sierra Leone's population
What was the population of Sierra Leone in 1981?
Sierra Leone had a population of 3,338,940 in 1981.
Is Sierra Leone's population growing or shrinking?
Sierra Leone's population grew 20.8% over the previous ten years, and is projected to reach 12,948,325 by 2050.
What is the median age in Sierra Leone?
The median age in Sierra Leone is 19.1 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in Sierra Leone?
In Sierra Leone, 42.0% of people are under 15 and 4.1% 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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