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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

1 government-owned TV station; 1 private TV station began operating in 2005; a pay-per-view TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio broadcast station; about two dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.sl

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

281 (2010) country comparison to the world: 184

Internet users [time series]

14,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: marginal telephone service with poor infrastructure 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 international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

32,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.16 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 143

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 24.5% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$63 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Debt - external [time series]

$1.61 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

62.9 (1989) country comparison to the world: 5

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure has yet to recover from the civil war, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation and in 2010 approved a new program worth $45 million over three years. Political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining, which are set to benefit from planned tax incentives. A number of offshore oil discoveries were announced in 2009 and 2010. The development on these reserves, which could be significant, is still several years away.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

74.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

80 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Exchange rates [time series]

leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$216 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 179

Exports - commodities [time series]

diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish

Exports - partners [time series]

Belgium 26.56%, US 11.87%, Netherlands 7.91%, UK 7.4%, India 6.67%, Cote d'Ivoire 6.13%, Greece 4.05% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.901 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$4.812 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $4.574 billion (2009 est.) $4.382 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2005 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 $900 (2009 est.) $900 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 4.4% (2009 est.) 5.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$560 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 186

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 14.61%, China 7.58%, US 5.87%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.65%, India 5.19%, Malaysia 5.19%, France 5.08%, UK 4.48%, Netherlands 4.06% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

11.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Labor force [time series]

2.207 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Oil - consumption [time series]

9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Oil - exports [time series]

502 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - imports [time series]

8,316 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Oil - production [time series]

29 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Population below poverty line [time series]

70.2% (2004)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$437 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 174 $434.3 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$178.4 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 175 $140.9 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$209.4 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 173 $219.1 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 71,740 sq km country comparison to the world: 118 land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

402 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%) per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

8 30 N, 11 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

300 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

160 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

1 October 1991; amended several times

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Glenn FEDZER embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000 FAX: [232] (22) 515 355

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

constitutional democracy

Independence [time series]

27 April 1961 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court

Legal system [time series]

based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: student unions; trade unions

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 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, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,156,724 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 713,190 females age 16-49: 813,830 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 53,349 female: 56,307 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 66

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 years 6 months of age for male and female voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription; candidates must be HIV negative (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 1,060,463/female 1,081,333) 15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,344,650/female 1,461,203) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 83,595/female 100,894) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

38.79 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Death rate [time series]

11.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 114

Ethnic groups [time series]

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

55,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 80.16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 13 male: 89.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 70.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

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 [time series]

total population: 55.69 years country comparison to the world: 197 male: 53.27 years female: 58.18 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 35.1% male: 46.9% female: 24.4% (2004 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 19 years male: 18.6 years female: 19.5 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 198 note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2010 est.)

Population [time series]

5,245,695 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Population growth rate [time series]

2.216% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 7 years male: 9 years female: 6 years (2001)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.97 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abates, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

9 (2010) country comparison to the world: 159

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 189 country comparison to the world: 35 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 131, carrier 1, chemical tanker 12, container 3, liquefied gas 3, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 91 (Bangladesh 1, China 12, Cyprus 1, Egypt 2, Estonia 1, Hong Kong 4, Japan 3, Malaysia 1, North Korea 1, Romania 4, Russia 6, Singapore 5, Syria 20, Taiwan 1, Turkey 14, UAE 6, UK 1, Ukraine 5, US 1, Yemen 2) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands

Roadways [time series]

total: 11,300 km country comparison to the world: 132 paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)

Waterways [time series]

800 km (600 km year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 73