Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sierra Leone: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Sierra Leone is placed 155th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 0.888 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 62.82 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
155th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.888Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 62.82Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 13.33Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 2.625Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Sierra Leone on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Sierra Leone’s is from 2015 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.888
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 0.888. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.639 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 14.73 · Liberia 38.25
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Sierra Leone’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
62.82
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Sierra Leone: 62.82. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Western Africa
- 90.61 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 46.87 · Liberia 65.2
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
13.33
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Sierra Leone: 13.33. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Western Africa
- 57.75 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 24.98 · Liberia 14.25
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.625
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Sierra Leone: 2.625. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Western Africa
- 6.163 Senegal
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 1.725 · Liberia 2.267
02Over time
Which way Sierra Leone is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 5.907 in 2011 to 0.888 in 2015; the world median went from 3.626 to 3.052.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 — 3.002 2021 — 3.330 2020 — 2.678 2019 — 2.758 2018 — 2.439 2017 — 2.907 2016 — 2.954 2015 1 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 3 3.408 2011 6 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 — 3.577 2008 — 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 — 4.412 2002 — 4.144 2001 — 4.051 2000 — 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone rose from 37.09 in 2012 to 62.82 in 2024; the world median went from 85.43 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2024 62.8 85.9 2023 61.7 87.6 2022 64.2 87.7 2021 42.6 87.0 2020 54.8 88.3 2019 — 88.8 2018 42.2 89.6 2017 38.0 87.4 2016 31.6 87.9 2015 35.0 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 32.5 88.0 2012 37.1 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone rose from 6 in 2000 to 13.33 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2025 13.33 64.9 2024 13.11 65.0 2023 12.95 64.2 2022 12.73 63.6 2021 12.48 62.9 2020 12.42 62.2 2019 12.34 61.5 2018 12.51 60.9 2017 12.67 60.5 2016 12.71 60.1 2015 12.71 58.9 2014 12.52 57.0 2013 12.18 54.7 2012 11.66 52.4 2011 11.06 50.9 2010 10.48 49.5 2009 9.82 48.5 2008 9.21 47.4 2007 8.68 46.2 2006 8.18 45.0 2005 7.70 43.8 2004 7.26 42.9 2003 6.90 41.6 2002 6.54 40.3 2001 6.23 39.0 2000 6.00 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 4.949 in 2000 to 2.625 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2023 2.62 3.7092 2022 4.91 4.0570 2021 5.59 4.2611 2020 5.35 4.4056 2019 4.65 4.1407 2018 4.47 4.2159 2017 3.02 4.1401 2016 1.85 4.2342 2015 3.22 4.2386 2014 1.74 4.2005 2013 1.56 4.3493 2012 1.78 4.0348 2011 1.62 3.9987 2010 1.57 4.1396 2009 1.72 4.6638 2008 1.45 4.4226 2007 1.52 4.1717 2006 — 4.0593 2005 1.81 4.0557 2004 2.01 3.9745 2003 2.11 4.1595 2002 2.30 4.0173 2001 2.23 4.1002 2000 4.95 3.8861
03In context
Sierra Leone beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
Sierra Leone and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | 155th | 0.888 | 62.82 | 13.33 | 2.625 |
 Guinea | 183rd | 14.73 | 46.87 | 24.98 | 1.725 |
 Liberia | 188th | 38.25 | 65.2 | 14.25 | 2.267 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Sierra Leone in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Sierra Leone is ahead of the world, and behind
18 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median2
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does better than the middle country measured.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8620.619▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 0.862 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 176 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3433.7856.343▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 3.785 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 71st of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does worse than the middle country measured.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.2120.529No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 0.212 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2146.9389.21No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 46.93 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 164 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5430.446No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 0.543 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 26th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6669.8493.66▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 69.84 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9414.8557.941▲ Improved since 2017
Sierra Leone: 4.855 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 148th of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4368.8197.43No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 68.81 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 165 · derived.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6761.5120.67▲ Improved since 2018
Sierra Leone: 61.51 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 11th of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2272.9998.22No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 72.99 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9324.9765.93▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 24.97 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 109th of 120 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.349.06413.34No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 9.064 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 178th of 195 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9333.5359.933No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 3.535 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 182nd of 193 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9943.5893.99No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 43.58 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 163rd of 172 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.661.46598.66No real change since 2017
Sierra Leone: 1.465 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32315.88414.32No real change since 2017
Sierra Leone: 315.88 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 167th of 172 · derived.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10016.83100No real change since 2017
Sierra Leone: 16.83 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2406202,240Moved since 2022
Sierra Leone: 620 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
No current reading for Sierra Leone
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2019), Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2002), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2021), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2015), Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2002), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy (last 2001), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2023), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2002), Trust in Scientists (last 2018) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2019). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among Sierra Leone’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Sierra Leone’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability3rd of 1864/4 keys
- Energy4th of 1652/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 91st of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality112th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 117th of 1772/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties132nd of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions146th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality124th of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge155th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture154th of 1844/4 keys
- Digital & Technology169th of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour156th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience176th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation163rd of 1763/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing191st of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital188th of 1963/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Sierra Leone can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Tunisia=48th3/4 keysHighest in Western Africa
Togo94th4/4 keysThis page
Sierra Leone155th4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Sierra Leone on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Sierra Leone rank on education & knowledge?
Sierra Leone is placed 155th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Sierra Leone?
0.888 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Sierra Leone?
62.82 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does Sierra Leone compare with Guinea on education & knowledge?
Guinea is placed 183rd of 198, and Sierra Leone 155th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Guinea 14.73, Sierra Leone 0.888; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Guinea 46.87, Sierra Leone 62.82; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Guinea 24.98, Sierra Leone 13.33; Government Spending on Education: Guinea 1.725, Sierra Leone 2.625.
How have Sierra Leone’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 5.907 in 2011 to 0.888 in 2015; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 37.09 in 2012 to 62.82 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 6 in 2000 to 13.33 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 4.949 in 2000 to 2.625 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Sierra Leone?
No current reading is published for Sierra Leone on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio, Trust in Scientists and Upper Secondary Attainment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 18 statistics on this page come from 5 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Sierra Leone’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Sierra Leone (banner) — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Sierra Leone: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sierra-leone/education