Urban Population: Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone's urban population is currently 45.4% as of 2024. # Sierra Leone Urban Population Sierra Leone's urban population reached 45.
Current (2024)
45.4%
+1.2% y/y
Peak (2024)
45.4%
Low (1960)
17.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Sierra Leone
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Sierra Leone
Analysis# Sierra Leone Urban Population
Sierra Leone's urban population reached 45.363% in 2024, marking both the highest level recorded and the culmination of dramatic demographic shifts over six decades. Since 1960, when only 17.431% of the population lived in urban areas, the nation has experienced a 160.2% increase in urbanization. This represents a fundamental transformation of Sierra Leone's settlement patterns, moving from a predominantly rural to an increasingly urban society.
The consistent year-over-year growth from 2015 onwards—rising from 40.767% to the current 45.363%—demonstrates sustained urbanization momentum. Each year between 2015 and 2024 registered steady gains of approximately 0.5 percentage points, reflecting ongoing rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth in cities. This trajectory suggests Sierra Leone will continue its urbanization trend in coming years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45.4% | +1.24% |
| 2023 | 44.8% | +1.22% |
| 2022 | 44.3% | +1.22% |
| 2021 | 43.7% | +1.21% |
| 2020 | 43.2% | +1.20% |
| 2019 | 42.7% | +1.19% |
| 2018 | 42.2% | +1.17% |
| 2017 | 41.7% | +1.17% |
| 2016 | 41.2% | +1.13% |
| 2015 | 40.8% | +1.09% |
| 2014 | 40.3% | +1.09% |
| 2013 | 39.9% | +1.08% |
| 2012 | 39.5% | +1.07% |
| 2011 | 39.0% | +1.05% |
| 2010 | 38.6% | +1.02% |
| 2009 | 38.3% | +1.00% |
| 2008 | 37.9% | +0.96% |
| 2007 | 37.5% | +0.92% |
| 2006 | 37.2% | +0.87% |
| 2005 | 36.8% | +0.82% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 36.5% | +0.77% |
| 2003 | 36.3% | +0.72% |
| 2002 | 36.0% | +0.68% |
| 2001 | 35.8% | +0.65% |
| 2000 | 35.5% | +0.62% |
| 1999 | 35.3% | +0.60% |
| 1998 | 35.1% | +0.58% |
| 1997 | 34.9% | +0.58% |
| 1996 | 34.7% | +0.57% |
| 1995 | 34.5% | +0.58% |
| 1994 | 34.3% | +0.59% |
| 1993 | 34.1% | +0.61% |
| 1992 | 33.9% | +0.64% |
| 1991 | 33.7% | +0.67% |
| 1990 | 33.5% | +0.71% |
| 1989 | 33.2% | +0.76% |
| 1988 | 33.0% | +0.82% |
| 1987 | 32.7% | +0.89% |
| 1986 | 32.4% | +0.97% |
| 1985 | 32.1% | +1.05% |
| 1984 | 31.8% | +1.13% |
| 1983 | 31.4% | +1.22% |
| 1982 | 31.0% | +1.31% |
| 1981 | 30.6% | +1.40% |
| 1980 | 30.2% | +1.49% |
| 1979 | 29.8% | +1.58% |
| 1978 | 29.3% | +1.68% |
| 1977 | 28.8% | +1.78% |
| 1976 | 28.3% | +1.88% |
| 1975 | 27.8% | +2.04% |
| 1974 | 27.2% | +2.33% |
| 1973 | 26.6% | +2.71% |
| 1972 | 25.9% | +3.02% |
| 1971 | 25.2% | +3.29% |
| 1970 | 24.4% | +3.50% |
| 1969 | 23.5% | +3.66% |
| 1968 | 22.7% | +3.75% |
| 1967 | 21.9% | +3.76% |
| 1966 | 21.1% | +3.68% |
| 1965 | 20.3% | +3.50% |
| 1964 | 19.7% | +3.18% |
| 1963 | 19.0% | +2.96% |
| 1962 | 18.5% | +2.99% |
| 1961 | 18.0% | +3.06% |
| 1960 | 17.4% | — |
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