Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Urban and rural population projected to 2050 was 4.70 million people in 2050. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2050)
4.70 million people
Change on year
down 1.2%
World rank
76th
of 238 countries
All-time high
5.06 million people
in 2037
All-time low
3,923 people
in 1000
Years of data
133
1000–2050
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone, 1000–2050
Source: HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2050, urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone stood at 4.70 million people.
That represents a change of down 1.2% on the previous year and down 6.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone peaked at 5.06 million people in 2037 and was at its lowest, 3,923 people, in 1000.
Sierra Leone ranks 76th of 238 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.
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 3,923 people | — |
| 1100 | 4,359 people | +11.1% |
| 1200 | 4,844 people | +11.1% |
| 1300 | 5,381 people | +11.1% |
| 1400 | 5,977 people | +11.1% |
| 1500 | 6,636 people | +11.0% |
| 1600 | 7,353 people | +10.8% |
| 1700 | 8,104 people | +10.2% |
| 1710 | 8,991 people | +10.9% |
| 1720 | 9,977 people | +11.0% |
| 1730 | 11,069 people | +11.0% |
| 1740 | 12,280 people | +10.9% |
| 1750 | 13,621 people | +10.9% |
| 1760 | 15,105 people | +10.9% |
| 1770 | 16,749 people | +10.9% |
| 1780 | 18,567 people | +10.9% |
| 1790 | 20,579 people | +10.8% |
| 1800 | 22,802 people | +10.8% |
| 1810 | 25,259 people | +10.8% |
| 1820 | 27,972 people | +10.7% |
| 1830 | 30,967 people | +10.7% |
| 1840 | 34,270 people | +10.7% |
| 1850 | 37,910 people | +10.6% |
| 1860 | 41,917 people | +10.6% |
| 1870 | 64,856 people | +54.7% |
| 1880 | 100,294 people | +54.6% |
| 1890 | 155,002 people | +54.5% |
| 1900 | 239,392 people | +54.4% |
| 1910 | 369,452 people | +54.3% |
| 1920 | 549,358 people | +48.7% |
| 1930 | 816,116 people | +48.6% |
| 1940 | 1.21 million people | +48.4% |
| 1950 | 1.75 million people | +44.6% |
| 1951 | 1.76 million people | +0.6% |
| 1952 | 1.77 million people | +0.6% |
| 1953 | 1.78 million people | +0.6% |
| 1954 | 1.79 million people | +0.6% |
| 1955 | 1.81 million people | +0.6% |
| 1956 | 1.82 million people | +0.7% |
| 1957 | 1.83 million people | +0.7% |
| 1958 | 1.84 million people | +0.7% |
| 1959 | 1.86 million people | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 1.87 million people | +0.8% |
| 1961 | 1.89 million people | +0.9% |
| 1962 | 1.91 million people | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 1.93 million people | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 1.95 million people | +1.0% |
| 1965 | 1.97 million people | +1.0% |
| 1966 | 1.98 million people | +0.9% |
| 1967 | 2.00 million people | +0.9% |
| 1968 | 2.02 million people | +0.8% |
| 1969 | 2.03 million people | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 2.05 million people | +0.8% |
| 1971 | 2.07 million people | +0.8% |
| 1972 | 2.08 million people | +0.8% |
| 1973 | 2.10 million people | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 2.12 million people | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 2.15 million people | +1.1% |
| 1976 | 2.17 million people | +1.1% |
| 1977 | 2.20 million people | +1.2% |
| 1978 | 2.22 million people | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 2.25 million people | +1.3% |
| 1980 | 2.28 million people | +1.4% |
| 1981 | 2.32 million people | +1.4% |
| 1982 | 2.35 million people | +1.5% |
| 1983 | 2.39 million people | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 2.43 million people | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 2.47 million people | +1.7% |
| 1986 | 2.52 million people | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 2.58 million people | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 2.64 million people | +2.3% |
| 1989 | 2.69 million people | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 2.79 million people | +3.7% |
| 1991 | 2.82 million people | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 2.75 million people | -2.2% |
| 1993 | 2.74 million people | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 2.74 million people | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 2.74 million people | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 2.74 million people | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 2.77 million people | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 2.79 million people | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 2.79 million people | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 2.85 million people | +2.1% |
| 2001 | 3.01 million people | +5.7% |
| 2002 | 3.18 million people | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 3.30 million people | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 3.40 million people | +3.0% |
| 2005 | 3.47 million people | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 3.53 million people | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 3.59 million people | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 3.66 million people | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 3.74 million people | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 3.82 million people | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 3.89 million people | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 3.97 million people | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 4.04 million people | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 4.10 million people | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 4.17 million people | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 4.23 million people | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 4.30 million people | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 4.37 million people | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 4.43 million people | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 4.49 million people | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 4.55 million people | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 4.61 million people | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 4.67 million people | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 4.72 million people | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 4.77 million people | +1.0% |
| 2026 | 4.81 million people | +0.9% |
| 2027 | 4.85 million people | +0.9% |
| 2028 | 4.89 million people | +0.8% |
| 2029 | 4.92 million people | +0.7% |
| 2030 | 4.95 million people | +0.6% |
| 2031 | 4.98 million people | +0.6% |
| 2032 | 5.01 million people | +0.5% |
| 2033 | 5.03 million people | +0.4% |
| 2034 | 5.04 million people | +0.3% |
| 2035 | 5.05 million people | +0.2% |
| 2036 | 5.06 million people | +0.2% |
| 2037 | 5.06 million people | +0.1% |
| 2038 | 5.06 million people | -0.0% |
| 2039 | 5.05 million people | -0.1% |
| 2040 | 5.05 million people | -0.2% |
| 2041 | 5.03 million people | -0.2% |
| 2042 | 5.02 million people | -0.4% |
| 2043 | 4.99 million people | -0.5% |
| 2044 | 4.97 million people | -0.5% |
| 2045 | 4.94 million people | -0.6% |
| 2046 | 4.90 million people | -0.8% |
| 2047 | 4.86 million people | -0.9% |
| 2048 | 4.81 million people | -1.0% |
| 2049 | 4.75 million people | -1.1% |
| 2050 | 4.70 million people | -1.2% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 4.70 million people is below the median for low income countries, which is 16.82 million people, 28% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 4.70 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.62 million people, 44% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban and rural population projected to 2050 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | +54.7% | 41,917 people | 64,856 people |
| 1880 | +54.6% | 64,856 people | 100,294 people |
| 1890 | +54.5% | 100,294 people | 155,002 people |
| 1900 | +54.4% | 155,002 people | 239,392 people |
| 1910 | +54.3% | 239,392 people | 369,452 people |
| 1920 | +48.7% | 369,452 people | 549,358 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 3,923 people | 3,923 people | 3,923 people | 1 |
| 1100s | 4,359 people | 4,359 people | 4,359 people | 1 |
| 1200s | 4,844 people | 4,844 people | 4,844 people | 1 |
| 1300s | 5,381 people | 5,381 people | 5,381 people | 1 |
| 1400s | 5,977 people | 5,977 people | 5,977 people | 1 |
| 1500s | 6,636 people | 6,636 people | 6,636 people | 1 |
| 1600s | 7,353 people | 7,353 people | 7,353 people | 1 |
| 1700s | 8,104 people | 8,104 people | 8,104 people | 1 |
| 1710s | 8,991 people | 8,991 people | 8,991 people | 1 |
| 1720s | 9,977 people | 9,977 people | 9,977 people | 1 |
| 1730s | 11,069 people | 11,069 people | 11,069 people | 1 |
| 1740s | 12,280 people | 12,280 people | 12,280 people | 1 |
| 1750s | 13,621 people | 13,621 people | 13,621 people | 1 |
| 1760s | 15,105 people | 15,105 people | 15,105 people | 1 |
| 1770s | 16,749 people | 16,749 people | 16,749 people | 1 |
| 1780s | 18,567 people | 18,567 people | 18,567 people | 1 |
| 1790s | 20,579 people | 20,579 people | 20,579 people | 1 |
| 1800s | 22,802 people | 22,802 people | 22,802 people | 1 |
| 1810s | 25,259 people | 25,259 people | 25,259 people | 1 |
| 1820s | 27,972 people | 27,972 people | 27,972 people | 1 |
| 1830s | 30,967 people | 30,967 people | 30,967 people | 1 |
| 1840s | 34,270 people | 34,270 people | 34,270 people | 1 |
| 1850s | 37,910 people | 37,910 people | 37,910 people | 1 |
| 1860s | 41,917 people | 41,917 people | 41,917 people | 1 |
| 1870s | 64,856 people | 64,856 people | 64,856 people | 1 |
| 1880s | 100,294 people | 100,294 people | 100,294 people | 1 |
| 1890s | 155,002 people | 155,002 people | 155,002 people | 1 |
| 1900s | 239,392 people | 239,392 people | 239,392 people | 1 |
| 1910s | 369,452 people | 369,452 people | 369,452 people | 1 |
| 1920s | 549,358 people | 549,358 people | 549,358 people | 1 |
| 1930s | 816,116 people | 816,116 people | 816,116 people | 1 |
| 1940s | 1.21 million people | 1.21 million people | 1.21 million people | 1 |
| 1950s | 1.80 million people | 1.75 million people | 1.86 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.96 million people | 1.87 million people | 2.03 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.14 million people | 2.05 million people | 2.25 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.47 million people | 2.28 million people | 2.69 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.77 million people | 2.74 million people | 2.82 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.37 million people | 2.85 million people | 3.74 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.13 million people | 3.82 million people | 4.43 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.73 million people | 4.49 million people | 4.92 million people | 10 |
| 2030s | 5.03 million people | 4.95 million people | 5.06 million people | 10 |
| 2040s | 4.93 million people | 4.75 million people | 5.05 million people | 10 |
| 2050s | 4.70 million people | 4.70 million people | 4.70 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More population data for Sierra Leone
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 983,692 people (2100)
- Population density 220.76 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6516 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone?
- Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Sierra Leone was 4.70 million people in 2050, according to HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 5.06 million people in 2037.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,923 people in 1000.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for urban and rural population projected to 2050?
- Sierra Leone ranks 76th out of 238 countries with data for 2050.
- Is urban and rural population projected to 2050 rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population projected to 2050. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 133 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of people living in rural areas, combining UN estimates and projections with modeled historical data.