2016 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,560

Sierra Leone

2016 Edition · 308 data fields

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Introduction

Background

The British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown in the 17th century. Originally the trade involved timber and ivory, but later it expanded into slaves. Following the American Revolution, a colony was established in 1787 and Sierra Leone became a destination for resettling black loyalists who had originally been resettled in Nova Scotia. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British crews delivered thousands of Africans liberated from illegal slave ships to Sierra Leone, particularly Freetown. The colony gradually expanded inland during the course of the 19th century; independence was attained in 1961. Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war (1991-2002) that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, has developed as a guarantor of the country's stability; the armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 and 2012 national elections. In March 2014, the closure of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone marked the end of more than 15 years of peacekeeping and political operations in Sierra Leone. The government's stated priorities include furthering development - including recovering from the Ebola epidemic - creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.

Geography

Area

71,740 sq km 71,620 sq km 120 sq km
land: 71,620 sq km
total: 71,740 sq km
water: 120 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)

Coastline

402 km

Elevation

279 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
mean elevation: 279 m

Environment - current issues

rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geographic coordinates

8 30 N, 11 30 W

Geography - note

rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa

Irrigated land

300 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,093 km Guinea 794 km, Liberia 299 km
border countries (2): Guinea 794 km, Liberia 299 km
total: 1,093 km

Land use

56.2% arable land 23.4%; permanent crops 2.3%; permanent pasture 30.5% 37.5% 6.3% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 56.2%
forest: 37.5%
other: 6.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

Natural resources

diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite

Terrain

coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east

People and Society

Age structure

41.9% (male 1,257,997/female 1,263,961) 18.57% (male 542,975/female 574,669) 32.04% (male 924,331/female 1,003,895) 3.74% (male 104,415/female 120,953) 3.75% (male 94,520/female 131,172) (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,257,997/female 1,263,961)
15-24 years: 18.57% (male 542,975/female 574,669)
25-54 years: 32.04% (male 924,331/female 1,003,895)
55-64 years: 3.74% (male 104,415/female 120,953)
65 years and over: 3.75% (male 94,520/female 131,172) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

36.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

573,287 48% (2005 est.)
percentage: 48% (2005 est.)
total number: 573,287

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.1% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

16.6% (2013)

Death rate

10.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Sierra Leone’s youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone’s population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world’s highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting. Sierra Leone’s large youth cohort – about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay. Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone’s civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country’s civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone.

Dependency ratios

81.9% 77.1% 4.9% 20.6% (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 4.9%
potential support ratio: 20.6% (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 81.9%
youth dependency ratio: 77.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 84.9% of population rural: 47.8% of population total: 62.6% of population urban: 15.1% of population rural: 52.2% of population total: 37.4% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 52.2% of population
total: 37.4% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 15.1% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

Temne 35%, Mende 31%, Limba 8%, Kono 5%, Kriole 2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), Mandingo 2%, Loko 2%, other 15% (includes refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, and small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians) (2008 census)

Health expenditures

11.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.34% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,500 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

51,100 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

70 deaths/1,000 live births 78.4 deaths/1,000 live births 61.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
female: 61.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
male: 78.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 70 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)

Life expectancy at birth

58.2 years 55.6 years 60.9 years (2016 est.)
female: 60.9 years (2016 est.)
male: 55.6 years
total population: 58.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic 48.1% 58.7% 37.7% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
female: 37.7% (2015 est.)
male: 58.7%
total population: 48.1%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis rabies Lassa fever (2016)
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2016)
animal contact disease: rabies
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

FREETOWN (capital) 1.007 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

1,360 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

19 years 18.4 years 19.6 years (2016 est.)
female: 19.6 years (2016 est.)
male: 18.4 years
total: 19 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.2 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

-2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.6% (2014)

Physicians density

0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

6,018,888 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.36% (2016 est.)

Religions

Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 22.8% of population rural: 6.9% of population total: 13.3% of population urban: 77.2% of population rural: 93.1% of population total: 86.7% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 93.1% of population
total: 86.7% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 77.2% of population

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.76 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

39.9% of total population (2015) 2.75% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
rate of urbanization: 2.75% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
urban population: 39.9% of total population (2015)

Government

Administrative divisions

3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*

Capital

Freetown 8 29 N, 13 14 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates: 8 29 N, 13 14 W
name: Freetown
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone yes 5 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest in effect 1 October 1991; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone the Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA named the country "Serra Leoa" (Lion Mountains) for the impressive mountains he saw while sailing the West African coast in 1462
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
etymology: the Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA named the country "Serra Leoa" (Lion Mountains) for the impressive mountains he saw while sailing the West African coast in 1462
local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form: Sierra Leone

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador John HOOVER (since 4 November 4 December 2014)) Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown use embassy street address [232] (76) 99 1055 00 [232] (76) 515 355
chief of mission: Ambassador John HOOVER (since 4 November 4 December 2014))
embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
FAX: [232] (76) 515 355
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (76) 99 1055 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS (since 28 March 2008) 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 [1] (202) 483-1793
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS (since 28 March 2008)
FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263

Executive branch

President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017) Ernest Bai KOROMA reelected president; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA (APC) 58.7%, Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 37.4%, other 3.9%
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president
chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
election results: Ernest Bai KOROMA reelected president; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA (APC) 58.7%, Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 37.4%, other 3.9%
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

27 April 1961 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court - at the apex - with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges; note – the Judicature has jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, and constitutional matters Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman) and subject to the approval of Parliament; all Judicature judges appointed until retirement at age 65 magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts
highest court(s): Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court - at the apex - with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges; note – the Judicature has jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, and constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman) and subject to the approval of Parliament; all Judicature judges appointed until retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 12 seats filled in separate elections by non-partisan members of Parliament called "paramount chiefs;" members serve 5-year terms) last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 69, SLPP 43
description: unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 12 seats filled in separate elections by non-partisan members of Parliament called "paramount chiefs;" members serve 5-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 69, SLPP 43
elections: last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA adopted 1961
lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA
name: "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free"
note: adopted 1961

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: green, white, blue
lion; national colors: green, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA] Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Somano KAPEN] numerous other parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

student unions; trade unions
other: student unions; trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish

Budget

$664.6 million $875.3 million (2015 est.)
expenditures: $875.3 million (2015 est.)
revenues: $664.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.78% (31 December 2015 est.) 19.41% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$574 million (2015 est.) -$911 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$1.403 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.238 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34 (2011) 62.9 (1989)

Economy - overview

Sierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s. In recent years economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country’s principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, economic recovery will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints.

Exchange rates

leones (SLL) per US dollar - 5,080.8 (2015 est.) 4,524.2 (2014 est.) 4,524.2 (2013 est.) 4,344 (2012 est.) 4,336.1 (2011 est.)

Exports

$569.4 million (2015 est.) $1.282 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

Iron ore, diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish

Exports - partners

China 31.3%, Belgium 27.8%, Romania 11.3%, US 7.3%, India 4% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

82.5% 10.3% 33.3% 0.2% 13.1% -39.4% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 13.1%
government consumption: 10.3%
household consumption: 82.5%
imports of goods and services: -39.4% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 33.3%
investment in inventories: 0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

71.6% 7.3% 21.1% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 71.6%
industry: 7.3%
services: 21.1% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,600 (2015 est.) $2,000 (2014 est.) $2,000 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-21.5% (2015 est.) 4.6% (2014 est.) 20.7% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.167 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$9.966 billion (2015 est.) $12.69 billion (2014 est.) $12.13 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

-5.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 7.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 16% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 33.6% (2003)
highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)
lowest 10%: 2.6%

Imports

$1.575 billion (2015 est.) $1.635 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 23%, India 7.9%, US 6.4%, Netherlands 5.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

-65% (2015 est.)

Industries

diamond mining; iron ore, rutile and bauxite mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, footwear)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8% (2015 est.) 7.3% (2014 est.)

Labor force

2.56 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

61.1% NA% 33.4% (2014 est.)
agriculture: 61.1%
industry: NA%
services: 33.4% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

70.2% (2004 est.)

Public debt

41.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 37.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$960.1 million (31 December 2014 est.) $857.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$9.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) $6.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.296 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.095 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$501.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) $516.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$458.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $432.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2016)

Internet country code

.sl

Internet users

147,000 2.5% (July 2015 est.)
percent of population: 2.5% (July 2015 est.)
total: 147,000

Telephone system

marginal telephone service with poor infrastructure the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; while mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base, service area coverage remains limited country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; while mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base, service area coverage remains limited
general assessment: marginal telephone service with poor infrastructure
international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - fixed lines

17,000 less than 1 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (July 2015 est.)
total subscriptions: 17,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.657 million 96 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96 (July 2015 est.)
total: 5.657 million

Transportation

Airports

8 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)
over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
total: 1

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
total: 7

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9L (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 22, cargo 120, carrier 2, chemical tanker 19, container 6, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 98 (Bangladesh 1, China 19, Cyprus 2, Egypt 3, Estonia 2, Hong Kong 7, Japan 4, Lebanon 2, North Korea 2, Romania 2, Russia 7, Singapore 9, Syria 13, Taiwan 7, Turkey 9, UAE 1, UK 1, Ukraine 5, Yemen 2) (2010)
by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 120, carrier 2, chemical tanker 19, container 6, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 98 (Bangladesh 1, China 19, Cyprus 2, Egypt 3, Estonia 2, Hong Kong 7, Japan 4, Lebanon 2, North Korea 2, Romania 2, Russia 7, Singapore 9, Syria 13, Taiwan 7, Turkey 9, UAE 1, UK 1, Ukraine 5, Yemen 2) (2010)
total: 215

National air transport system

50,193 0 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 50,193

Ports and terminals

Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
major seaport(s): Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands

Roadways

11,300 km 904 km 10,396 km (2002)
paved: 904 km
total: 11,300 km
unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)

Waterways

800 km (600 km navigable year round) (2011)

Military and Security

Military branches

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2013)
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.72% of GDP (2012) 0.8% of GDP (2011) 0.72% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); women are eligible to serve; no conscription; candidates must be HIV negative (2012)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

Sierra Leone opposes Guinean troops' continued occupation of Yenga, a small village on the Makona River that serves as a border with Guinea; Guinea's forces came to Yenga in the mid-1990s to help the Sierra Leonean military to suppress rebels and to secure their common border but have remained there even after both countries signed a 2005 agreement acknowledging that Yenga belonged to Sierra Leone; in 2012, the two sides signed a declaration to demilitarize the area