HistoryData

Population Pyramid of Sierra Leone2024

Total population
8.6M
Median age
20.5
Peak year
2092
Peak population
16.0M

Age & sex distribution over time

195019802000202420502100
1950 · 2.0M · median age 20.4
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 1950. Total population 2.0 million, median age 20.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1950
1980 · 3.3M · median age 19.1
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 1980. Total population 3.3 million, median age 19.1. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1980
2000 · 4.4M · median age 18
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 2000. Total population 4.4 million, median age 18. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2000
2024 · 8.6M · median age 20.5
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 2024. Total population 8.6 million, median age 20.5. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2024
2050 · 12.9M · median age 27.4
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 2050. Total population 12.9 million, median age 27.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2050
2100 · 15.9M · median age 38.4
Population pyramid: Sierra Leone, 2100. Total population 15.9 million, median age 38.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2100

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Values in thousands. Years after 2024 are medium-variant projections.

Key insights

Demographic profile

Sierra Leone presently shows an expansive pyramid with a young median age, characteristic of the early demographic transition — fertility remains high while mortality has fallen. The median age in 2024 is 20.5 years.

Age composition

Children under 15 account for 38.1% of the population; people 65 and older account for 3.2%.

Peak population

UN medium-variant projections place Sierra Leone's peak population in 2092.

Long arc

In 1950 the population was 2.0 million with median age 20.4. Projected 2100 values are 15.9 million and median age 38.4.

More about Sierra Leone

Population history
Sierra Leone's population over time
Famous people
Notable figures from Sierra Leone
GDP history
Economic output of Sierra Leone
Life expectancy
Longevity in Sierra Leone
Inflation history
Price changes in Sierra Leone
Fertility rate
Births per woman in Sierra Leone
Average height
Adult height in Sierra Leone by birth year