Sierra Leone: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Sierra Leone 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Sierra Leone: 140
  • Happiness Score Sierra Leone:3.245

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Sierra Leone. SL.

    Sierra Leone is a country located in West Africa.

  • It has a multi-party political system with a President as the head of state and government.
  • Sierra Leone is known for its rich cultural diversity, with over 20 ethnic groups and a blend of traditional African and Western influences.
  • The economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly the mining of diamonds and other precious minerals.
  • Sierra Leone – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History

    Sierra Leone’s history can be traced back to the arrival of various ethnic groups from other parts of Africa, including the Bullom, Sherbro, and Limba peoples. The region was predominantly inhabited by these groups when the first European explorers and traders arrived in the 15th century.

    Colonial Period

    In the late 15th century, the Portuguese established a foothold in Sierra Leone, using it as a hub for the Atlantic slave trade. The British later gained control of the region and established the Colony of Sierra Leone in 1808, which served as a settlement for freed slaves. The colony became a British protectorate in 1896, and the Protectorate of Sierra Leone was established to administer the hinterland.

    Independence and Modern Era

    Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain on April 27, 1961. The country initially experienced political stability but descended into a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002, fueled by the struggle for control over diamond resources. The conflict resulted in widespread displacement, human rights violations, and the involvement of various rebel groups. After the war ended, the country has gradually rebuilt and strengthened its democratic institutions.

    Current Political Situation

    Sierra Leone is a constitutional republic with a multi-party democratic system. The president is both the head of state and head of government. The current president is Julius Maada Bio, who took office in 2018 after winning the general election. The country has made significant strides in consolidating democracy and promoting transparency, but challenges such as corruption and socio-economic development persist.

    International Relations

    Sierra Leone maintains friendly relations with its neighbors and the international community. The country is a member of various regional and global organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Sierra Leone has also strengthened its ties with major economic powers, seeking foreign investment and development assistance.

    Human Development and Economy

    Sierra Leone’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, mining (particularly diamonds and iron ore), and the service sector. The country has made progress in reducing poverty and improving access to education and healthcare, but significant challenges remain. Sierra Leone ranks low on the Human Development Index, with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and income inequality.

    Cultural Highlights

    Sierra Leone is a culturally diverse nation, with a rich heritage influenced by various ethnic groups and colonial history. The country boasts a vibrant arts and music scene, with traditional genres like Gumbé and Milo Jazz. Sierra Leoneans celebrate various festivals, including the Lantern Festival and the Independence Day celebrations. Islam and Christianity are the predominant religions.

    Challenges and Opportunities

    Sierra Leone faces ongoing challenges in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure development, healthcare access, and education. However, the country’s abundant natural resources, young population, and commitment to democratic governance provide opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social progress. Addressing corruption, strengthening institutions, and promoting inclusive development remain crucial priorities for Sierra Leone’s future.

Main facts

Location

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, and Liberia to the southeast.

Map References

Sierra Leone is located in Western Africa.

Area – Comparative

Sierra Leone has an area of approximately 71,740 square kilometers, slightly smaller than the U.S. state of South Carolina.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Total: 958 km
Border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Coastline

The coastline of Sierra Leone stretches for 402 km along the Atlantic Ocean.

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from December to April. Temperatures are generally warm throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 34°C.

Terrain

Sierra Leone’s terrain consists mainly of a coastal belt of low-lying mangrove swamps, a hilly interior plateau, and the mountains of the Loma range in the northeast. The country is drained by several rivers, including the Rokel, Sewa, and Mano.

Elevation Extremes

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintumani) 1,948 m

Natural Resources

Sierra Leone’s major natural resources include diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, and chromite.

Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Sierra Leone include the Atlantic Ocean, the Rokel River, the Sewa River, and the Mano River (shared with Liberia).

Natural Hazards

Sierra Leone is prone to natural hazards such as dry, sand-laden harmattan winds, recurring drought, and occasional mudslides and flooding during the rainy season.

Geography – Notes

Sierra Leone’s geography is characterized by its location on the Atlantic coast, its diverse terrain ranging from mangrove swamps to mountains, and its rich natural resources, particularly diamonds and other minerals. The country’s economy has historically been heavily dependent on the mining and export of these resources.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 43.10%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 1,093. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 54.70%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  8.460555-11.779889.
  • Capital: The capital of Sierra Leone is  Freetown
  • Major Cities:
    • Freetown – Population: 1,055,964
    • Bo – Population: 174,369
    • Kenema – Population: 143,137
    • Makeni – Population: 87,679
    • Koidu – Population: 83,518
  • Population: 7,813,215
  • Area(Km2): 71740
  • Population Density( P/Km²):111. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:232
  • Official Language(s):Sierra Leone is English (official), Krio (a Creole language derived from English) 100%.
  • Currency: SLL

Main Economic Indicators

Sierra Leone is a small, lower-middle-income economy with a GDP of around $4.1 billion in 2021. The economy relies heavily on mining, particularly diamonds and rutile (a mineral used for pigments), and agriculture for employment and export earnings. Key economic challenges include diversifying the economy, managing volatile commodity prices, improving public financial management, addressing infrastructure deficits, and mitigating corruption. The government is implementing policies aimed at promoting private sector development and attracting foreign investment.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Inflation rate: 15.7% (2021 est.); 13.8% (2020 est.)
Source: Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook

Credit Ratings

Moody’s: B3 (Stable)
Fitch: B- (Stable)
S&P: B- (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 58.3%
Industry: 16.4%
Services: 25.3%
(2017 est.)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural: Rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, cashews, pineapples, sorghum, ginger, poultry
Industrial: Diamond mining, rutile and bauxite mining, small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear)

Labor Force

Total labor force: 3.154 million (2017 est.)
World ranking: 104th

Current Account Balance

Current account balance: -$585 million (2021 est.)
World ranking: 158th

Exports and Imports

Exports: $887 million (2021 est.)
Partners: Belgium, UAE, Switzerland, Poland, China
Commodities: iron ore, diamonds, rutile, cocoa, cashew nuts, fish
Imports: $1.47 billion (2021 est.)
Partners: China, India, Belgium, UAE, Turkey
Commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign exchange reserves: $631 million (2021 est.)
Gold reserves: 0.15 million ounces (2021 est.)

  • GDP (Current US$):$3,941,474,311. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 8.60%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 30.70%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $1.08. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.57. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 4.43%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Nationality: Sierra Leonean(s) (noun), Sierra Leonean (adjective)

2. Ethnic Groups

– Temne 35%
– Mende 31%
– Limba 8%
– Kono 5%
– Kriodescendants (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves) 2%
– Mandingo 2%
– Loko 2%
– Other ethnic groups 15%

3. Religions

– Muslim 78.6%
– Christian 20.8%
– Other/None 0.6%

4. Age Structure

– 0-14 years: 41.2% (male 1,227,865, female 1,199,940)
– 15-64 years: 55.8% (male 1,653,330, female 1,635,630)
– 65 years and over: 3% (male 72,707, female 104,135)

5. Dependency Ratios

– Total dependency ratio: 79.3
– Youth dependency ratio: 73.8
– Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5

6. Median Age

– Total: 19.4 years
– Male: 19 years
– Female: 19.8 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

– Obesity rate: 8.7%
– Alcohol consumption (per capita): 4.1 liters
– Tobacco use: 27.6% of adults

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 54.3. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 48.64%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:33.41. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 4.26. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 11.9%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 3,319,366. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):38.20%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

Sierra Leone’s military consists of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, comprising the Sierra Leone Army, Sierra Leone Navy, and Sierra Leone Air Wing. The Army is the largest branch, with infantry, artillery, and engineering units. The Navy operates coastal patrol boats, while the Air Wing has a limited number of transport aircraft and helicopters. Sierra Leone also has the Sierra Leone Police responsible for maintaining internal security and law enforcement.

Military Expenditures

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Sierra Leone’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for the last five years is as follows:

  • 2021: 0.8%
  • 2020: 0.8%
  • 2019: 0.8%
  • 2018: 0.8%
  • 2017: 0.9%

Sierra Leone’s military spending ranks among the lowest globally, reflecting its modest defense capabilities and constrained national budget.

Personnel Strengths

As of 2022, Sierra Leone has approximately 15,000 active military personnel, with the following breakdown:

  • Army: 12,000
  • Navy: 2,000
  • Air Wing: 1,000

The Sierra Leone Police has an estimated strength of 9,500 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Sierra Leone’s military equipment is largely outdated and limited in quantity, consisting of some light infantry weapons, armored personnel carriers, and a few transport aircraft and helicopters. Most of the hardware is sourced from external donors and suppliers. The country has no significant domestic military production capabilities or major ongoing acquisition programs.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Sierra Leone has a voluntary military service system, with enlistment open to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 27. There is no conscription or mandatory military service requirement.

Military Deployments

Sierra Leone contributes troops to various United Nations peacekeeping missions, including the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Sudan. However, the size of these deployments is relatively small, typically comprising a few hundred personnel.

Strategic Military Notes

Sierra Leone’s defense strategy focuses primarily on maintaining internal security and stability, given its history of civil conflict and the threat posed by localized armed groups. The military plays a limited role in external defense or regional security initiatives beyond contributing modest contingents to UN peacekeeping operations.

Sierra Leone is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its associated regional security frameworks, but its military capabilities remain modest compared to other members.

  • Armed Forces Size: 13000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.03
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 57.90%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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