Sierra Leone: Sierra leone People Profile

The total population in Sierra Leone was last recorded at 6.2 million people in 2014 from 2.2 million in 1960, changing 188 percent during the last 50 years. Population in Sierra Leone averaged 3.75 Million from 1960 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 6.21 Million in 2014 and a record low of 2.16 Million in 1960. Population in Sierra Leone is reported by the World Bank.

Sierra Leone Population

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Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa bordered by Guinea, Liberia, and the Atlantic Ocean. In 2014, the estimated people of Sierra Leone is 6.2 million.

Sierra Leone People 2014

Sierra Leone is a rapidly growing country with an estimated 2014 people of 6.2 million, up from 5.5 million in 2008. The country has a people density of 79 people per square kilometer (205/sq mi), which ranks 114th in the world.

The Western Area Urban District, which includes the capital and major city Freetown, has a people density of 1,224 people per square kilometers, while the Koinadugu has a people density of 21 people per square kilometer. Freetown had a 2004 people of 853,000, followed by Bo at 233,000.

Sierra Leone Demographics

Sierra Leone has 16 different ethnic groups, each with a different language. The major ethnic group is the Temne (35%), followed by the Mende (31%). The Temne are dominant in the Northern Sierra Leone and areas around the capital, while the Mende live mostly in the South-Eastern Sierra Leone and the Kono District.

The third-major ethnic group are the Limba (8%), who are native to the area and live in Northern Seirra Leone. The fourth group are the Fula (7%), who are descendants of Fulani migrant settlers from the 17th and 18th century who came from Guinea.

Other major ethnic groups include the Mandingo (2%), who are descended from Guinea traders; the Kono (5%), who are as well descended from Guinea migrants; and the Krio (2%) people, who are descendants of freed African American, West Indian and Liberated African slaves and make up 3% of the people.

Smaller ethnic groups include the Kuranko, who arrived in the area around 1600; the Loko (2%), who are native to Sierra Leone; the Kissi, and the Sherbro.

Sierra Leone has a young people with 42% of its people under 15, and a rural people with 62% of people living outside of the cities.

About 71% of the people are Muslims, while Christians make up 27% of the people. The remainder practice indigenous beliefs. Religious violence is rare in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone Future

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest nations in the world that is facing a lot of challenges. It has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in West Africa (60%), much of its drinking water is collected from polluted sources, one of the worst literacy rates in Africa and health problems that include HIV/AIDS, malaria, and yellow fever. About 81% of its people lives in poverty.

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Sierra Leone Population Clock

Sierra Leone Population Indicators