Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 8,925 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone, 1988–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone stood at 8,925.
The figure is up 11.0% on the previous year and up 82.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone peaked at 490,047 in 1999 and was at its lowest, 8, in 1988.
Sierra Leone ranks 66th of 205 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 8 | — |
| 1989 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 142,614 | +1782575.0% |
| 1992 | 253,591 | +77.8% |
| 1993 | 311,181 | +22.7% |
| 1994 | 275,298 | -11.5% |
| 1995 | 379,491 | +37.8% |
| 1996 | 375,100 | -1.2% |
| 1997 | 329,322 | -12.2% |
| 1998 | 406,070 | +23.3% |
| 1999 | 490,047 | +20.7% |
| 2000 | 402,798 | -17.8% |
| 2001 | 179,097 | -55.5% |
| 2002 | 141,473 | -21.0% |
| 2003 | 70,571 | -50.1% |
| 2004 | 41,797 | -40.8% |
| 2005 | 40,473 | -3.2% |
| 2006 | 42,849 | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 32,114 | -25.1% |
| 2008 | 32,517 | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 15,398 | -52.6% |
| 2010 | 11,261 | -26.9% |
| 2011 | 7,985 | -29.1% |
| 2012 | 6,191 | -22.5% |
| 2013 | 5,305 | -14.3% |
| 2014 | 4,988 | -6.0% |
| 2015 | 4,900 | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 4,678 | -4.5% |
| 2017 | 4,496 | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 4,846 | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 5,288 | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 5,734 | +8.4% |
| 2021 | 6,615 | +15.4% |
| 2022 | 6,939 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | 7,445 | +7.3% |
| 2024 | 8,042 | +8.0% |
| 2025 | 8,925 | +11.0% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 8,925 is below the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 5% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 8,925 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 70% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | +1782575.0% | 8 | 142,614 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 1990s | 296,272 | 8 | 490,047 | 10 |
| 2000s | 99,909 | 15,398 | 402,798 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,994 | 4,496 | 11,261 | 10 |
| 2020s | 7,283 | 5,734 | 8,925 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More population data for Sierra Leone
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.21 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 13,595 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6516 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.137 (2100)
- Population density 220.76 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 983,692 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Sierra Leone was 8,925 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 490,047 in 1999.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 8 in 1988.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Sierra Leone ranks 66th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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