Sierra Leone

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net emigration of 11,309 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, Sierra Leone has lost a cumulative 543,740 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net emigration.

Net migrants

-11,309

Net migration rate

-1.3 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-1,599,840

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

227,791

Top year: 2001

Peak emigration

-238,965

Lowest year: 1991

Recent avg (10 yrs)

-14220

Per year

Sierra Leone loses approximately 11,309 people per year to emigration (1.3 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 227,791 in 2001.

Migration flows in Sierra Leone are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).