Refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Refugees by country of origin was 8,042 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone, 1988–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone stood at 8,042 people.
The figure is up 8.0% on the previous year and up 61.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone peaked at 490,047 people in 1999 and was at its lowest, 8 people, in 1988.
Sierra Leone ranks 67th of 204 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.
Refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 8 people | — |
| 1989 | 8 people | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 8 people | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 142,614 people | +1782575.0% |
| 1992 | 253,591 people | +77.8% |
| 1993 | 311,181 people | +22.7% |
| 1994 | 275,298 people | -11.5% |
| 1995 | 379,491 people | +37.8% |
| 1996 | 375,100 people | -1.2% |
| 1997 | 329,322 people | -12.2% |
| 1998 | 406,070 people | +23.3% |
| 1999 | 490,047 people | +20.7% |
| 2000 | 402,798 people | -17.8% |
| 2001 | 179,097 people | -55.5% |
| 2002 | 141,473 people | -21.0% |
| 2003 | 70,571 people | -50.1% |
| 2004 | 41,797 people | -40.8% |
| 2005 | 40,473 people | -3.2% |
| 2006 | 42,849 people | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 32,114 people | -25.1% |
| 2008 | 32,517 people | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 15,398 people | -52.6% |
| 2010 | 11,261 people | -26.9% |
| 2011 | 7,985 people | -29.1% |
| 2012 | 6,191 people | -22.5% |
| 2013 | 5,305 people | -14.3% |
| 2014 | 4,988 people | -6.0% |
| 2015 | 4,900 people | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 4,678 people | -4.5% |
| 2017 | 4,496 people | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 4,846 people | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 5,288 people | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 5,734 people | +8.4% |
| 2021 | 6,615 people | +15.4% |
| 2022 | 6,939 people | +4.9% |
| 2023 | 7,445 people | +7.3% |
| 2024 | 8,042 people | +8.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 8 people | 8 people | 8 people | 2 |
| 1990s | 296,272 people | 8 people | 490,047 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 99,909 people | 15,398 people | 402,798 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,994 people | 4,496 people | 11,261 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,955 people | 5,734 people | 8,042 people | 5 |
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)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 220.76 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 983,692 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone?
- Refugees by country of origin in Sierra Leone was 8,042 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of origin recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 490,047 people in 1999.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 8 people in 1988.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for refugees by country of origin?
- Sierra Leone ranks 67th out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 61.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Refugees by country of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People who fled their country of origin and are in need of international protection. Refugees are those who have already been granted asylum status in the country they moved to. This includes all refugees, not just those who fled that year.