Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Sierra Leone has a developing West African economy supported by mining, agriculture, services, and domestic consumption. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+4.6%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#41
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.1 pp
2025: +4.4%
Africa Rank
#24
Out of 54 countries
1. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Sierra Leonean economic growth is influenced by mining output, agriculture, investment, and household demand. Commodity prices and financial stability remain especially important.
2. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by post-conflict reconstruction, mining cycles, agriculture, and major health and economic shocks.
3. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.6% | +0.1 pp |
| 2025 | +4.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2024 | +4.3% | -1.4 pp |
| 2023 | +5.7% | +0.4 pp |
| 2022 | +5.3% | -0.6 pp |
| 2021 | +5.9% | +7.2 pp |
| 2020 | -1.3% | -6.8 pp |
| 2019 | +5.5% | +2.1 pp |
| 2018 | +3.4% | -0.5 pp |
| 2017 | +3.9% | -0.8 pp |
| 2016 | +4.7% | +7.8 pp |
| 2015 | -3.1% | -2.5 pp |
| 2014 | -0.6% | -10.0 pp |
| 2013 | +9.4% | +2.7 pp |
| 2012 | +6.7% | -0.4 pp |
| 2011 | +7.1% | -3.0 pp |
| 2010 | +10.1% | +8.8 pp |
| 2009 | +1.3% | -2.5 pp |
| 2008 | +3.8% | +0.1 pp |
| 2007 | +3.7% | -0.9 pp |
| 2006 | +4.6% | -2.1 pp |
| 2005 | +6.7% | -1.1 pp |
| 2004 | +7.8% | -2.5 pp |
| 2003 | +10.3% | -16.1 pp |
| 2002 | +26.4% | +8.2 pp |
| 2001 | +18.2% | +14.4 pp |
| 2000 | +3.8% | +11.9 pp |
| 1999 | -8.1% | -7.3 pp |
| 1998 | -0.8% | +16.8 pp |
| 1997 | -17.6% | +7.2 pp |
| 1996 | -24.8% | -14.8 pp |
| 1995 | -10.0% | -13.5 pp |
| 1994 | +3.5% | +3.4 pp |
| 1993 | +0.1% | +9.7 pp |
| 1992 | -9.6% | -1.6 pp |
| 1991 | -8.0% | -9.6 pp |
| 1990 | +1.6% | -3.4 pp |
| 1989 | +5.0% | +2.9 pp |
| 1988 | +2.1% | -0.3 pp |
| 1987 | +2.4% | +2.3 pp |
| 1986 | +0.1% | +6.8 pp |
| 1985 | -6.7% | -8.4 pp |
| 1984 | +1.7% | +3.3 pp |
| 1983 | -1.6% | -3.4 pp |
| 1982 | +1.8% | -0.1 pp |
| 1981 | +1.9% | +2.5 pp |
| 1980 | -0.6% | — |
4. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+4.6%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.9%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+4.2%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+4.2%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from mineral resources and agricultural potential, but weak infrastructure, inflation, and limited investment constrain broader development.
5. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Sierra Leone
+4.6%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.3%
4.6%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Sierra Leone’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.4 pp
above the
Africa average
and
1.7 pp
above the world average.
6. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #20 | Burkina Faso | +4.9% |
| #21 | Cabo Verde | +4.8% |
| #22 | Botswana | +4.8% |
| #23 | Ghana | +4.8% |
| #24 | Sierra Leone | +4.6% |
| #25 | Kenya | +4.5% |
| #26 | Mauritania | +4.4% |
| #27 | Zambia | +4.3% |
| #28 | Egypt | +4.2% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone GDP (Nominal)
$8.3 Billion
(2026)
Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate
+4.6%
(2026)
Sierra Leone can record strong growth during mining expansions, but its narrow economic base makes performance more volatile than many regional peers.
Explore more:
Sierra Leone GDP
9. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on mining, agriculture, investment, infrastructure, and macroeconomic stability. Inflation and financing constraints remain major risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +4.7% | +0.2 pp |
| 2028 | +4.6% | -0.1 pp |
| 2029 | +4.6% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +4.6% | 0.0 pp |
10. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Sierra Leone GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.6% in 2026.
It ranks #41 globally and #24 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.1 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.9%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +4.2%.
The current rate is 0.4 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +4.6% in 2030, 0.0 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Sierra Leone GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Sierra Leone GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.6% in 2026.
Sierra Leone ranks #41 globally and #24 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +4.6% in 2026.
Sierra Leone GDP growth rate was -3.1% in 2015.
Sierra Leone GDP growth rate is 0.4 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.