Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sierra Leone: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Sierra Leone is placed 191st of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 61.79 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 90.5 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
191st
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 61.79Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 90.5Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 26.26Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 31.9Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Sierra Leone on health & wellbeing — 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
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
61.79
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Sierra Leone: 61.79. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Western Africa
- 76.06 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 60.74 · Liberia 62.16
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
90.5
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 90.5. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Western Africa
- 11.14 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 92.14 · Liberia 86.39
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Sierra Leone’s is from 2021 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
26.26
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 26.26. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Western Africa
- 6 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 26.14 · Liberia 29.83
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
31.9
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 31.9. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Western Africa
- 2.4 Mali
- Land neighbours
- Liberia 35.5
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.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone rose from 44.83 in 2000 to 61.79 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2023 61.8 74.630 2022 61.3 74.313 2021 60.3 72.433 2020 59.7 73.063 2019 59.6 74.196 2018 59.1 74.081 2017 57.8 74.029 2016 56.9 74.013 2015 55.5 73.783 2014 54.3 73.330 2013 54.1 73.386 2012 53.2 73.210 2011 52.6 73.003 2010 51.9 72.827 2009 51.3 72.426 2008 50.7 72.264 2007 50.0 72.113 2006 49.5 72.027 2005 48.3 71.876 2004 47.5 71.477 2003 46.8 71.409 2002 46.2 71.173 2001 45.4 70.926 2000 44.8 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 222.84 in 2000 to 90.5 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2024 90 14.5 2023 94 15.2 2022 97 14.7 2021 101 15.1 2020 104 15.3 2019 108 15.7 2018 112 16.3 2017 117 16.8 2016 122 17.5 2015 137 17.9 2014 136 18.3 2013 138 18.7 2012 144 18.8 2011 151 19.0 2010 158 19.2 2009 165 20.8 2008 172 20.7 2007 180 21.8 2006 187 22.8 2005 193 24.0 2004 200 25.9 2003 206 26.9 2002 212 28.0 2001 217 29.1 2000 223 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone rose from 26.7 in 2015 to 31.9 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2024 31.9 4.9 2023 33.7 4.7 2022 32.3 5.4 2021 31.9 5.7 2020 31.5 5.6 2019 32.2 5.0 2018 32.4 4.2 2017 32.6 4.0 2016 31.9 3.4 2015 26.7 3.4
03In context
Sierra Leone beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Sierra Leone and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Guinea | 188th | 60.74 | 92.14 | 26.14 | — |
| Sierra Leone | 191st | 61.79 | 90.5 | 26.26 | 31.9 |
 Liberia | =192nd | 62.16 | 86.39 | 29.83 | 35.5 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
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
55 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, 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 median9
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does better than the middle country measured.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.585.341.5No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 85.3 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 4th of 127 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9588.3752.95No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 88.37 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 5th of 136 · derived.
Insecticide-Treated Net UseMAP · 2025 · world median 4583.0545▼ Worsened since 2015
Sierra Leone: 83.05 · world median 45 · Population that slept under an insecticide-treated net (%). Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.586 to 88.58; higher is better.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6592.7677.65No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 92.76 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 10th of 144 · derived.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.775.867.7No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 75.8 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 39th of 127 · derived.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.57765.5▲ Improved since 2023
Sierra Leone: 77 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7450.8940.74No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 50.89 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 45th of 136 · derived.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 2220.422▼ Worsened since 2016
Sierra Leone: 20.4 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 24th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.55.455.5▼ Worsened since 2014
Sierra Leone: 5.45 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 86th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median34
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does worse than the middle country measured.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.982.782.9No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 82.7 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 56th of 109 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.3410.21▲ Improved since 2010
Sierra Leone: 10.34 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 75th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8178.881No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 78.8 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 86th of 153 · derived.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6967.58102.69▲ Improved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 67.58 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.255871.25▲ Improved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 58 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 135th of 196 · derived.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4521.214.45No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 21.2 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 69th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5724.3537.57No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 24.35 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 80th of 115 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5466.3083.546No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 6.308 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 48th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.983.496.9No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 83.4 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Female Genital Mutilation PrevalenceUNICEF · 2024 · world median 34.18334.1No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 83 · world median 34.1 · Women aged 15-49 who have undergone FGM (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.3 to 99.2; lower is better.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.461.926.4No real change since 2017
Sierra Leone: 61.9 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 28th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.886.575.8No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 86.5 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 17th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7219.2133.7▲ Improved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 219.2 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 39th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4871.123.48▼ Worsened since 2015
Sierra Leone: 71.12 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.2930.039▲ Improved since 2018
Sierra Leone: 0.293 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 15th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,4152,982▼ Worsened since 2014
Sierra Leone: 2,415 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 136th of 155 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.47266.4852.47▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 266.48 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.5660.351▲ Improved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 0.566 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 152nd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16320.218.163No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 20.21 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 22nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.65353.5646.65▲ Improved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 353.56 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 21st of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8330.7584.83▼ Worsened since 2013
Sierra Leone: 30.75 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.224.15.2No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 24.1 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 16th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4693.5927.46No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 93.59 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 21st of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.360.25No real change since 2014
Sierra Leone: 0.36 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13428.268.134▲ Improved since 2014
Sierra Leone: 28.26 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 15th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2654.612.26▲ Improved since 2014
Sierra Leone: 54.6 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 12th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.3630.564No real change since 2017
Sierra Leone: 0.363 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 163rd of 172 · derived.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2646.4921.26No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 46.49 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 6th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.4670.762No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 0.467 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 185th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3912.5916.39No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 12.59 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 214th of 222 · derived.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 417441▼ Worsened since 2012
Sierra Leone: 74 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.85823.132.858No real change since 2014
Sierra Leone: 23.13 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.988.120.9No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 88.1 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.106133.278.106No real change since 2014
Sierra Leone: 133.27 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919191▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 91 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909090▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 90 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1323.113No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 23.1 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.8815.916.88No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 15.91 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.9538.89Moved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 42.95 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 40th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1724.4516.17Moved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 24.45 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.427.535.4Moved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 27.5 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2528.141.25Moved since 2013
Sierra Leone: 28.1 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.553.894.55Moved since 2017
Sierra Leone: 3.89 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.21.73No real change since 2014
Sierra Leone: 0.2 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 159th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.654.120.65No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 4.1 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8310.8257.83No real change since 2013
Sierra Leone: 10.82 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
No current reading for Sierra Leone
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2019), Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, INFORM Severity Index and Malaria Incidence (P. vivax). 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
Health & Wellbeing among Sierra Leone’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Sierra Leone’s 15th 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 health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Sierra Leone can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysThis page
Sierra Leone191st4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Sierra Leone and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Sierra Leone on health & wellbeing: 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 health & wellbeing?
Sierra Leone is placed 191st of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Sierra Leone?
61.79 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Sierra Leone?
90.5 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Sierra Leone compare with Guinea on health & wellbeing?
Guinea is placed 188th of 200, and Sierra Leone 191st. Life Expectancy at Birth: Guinea 60.74, Sierra Leone 61.79; Under-Five Mortality Rate: Guinea 92.14, Sierra Leone 90.5; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: Guinea 26.14, Sierra Leone 26.26.
How have Sierra Leone’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 44.83 in 2000 to 61.79 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 222.84 in 2000 to 90.5 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity rose from 26.7 in 2015 to 31.9 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Sierra Leone?
No current reading is published for Sierra Leone on Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, INFORM Severity Index and Malaria Incidence (P. vivax). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing 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 health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 55 statistics on this page come from 17 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
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Sierra Leone: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sierra-leone/health