Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sierra Leone: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Sierra Leone is placed 156th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 51.69 (2025); Labour Income Share 36.84 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
156th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Sierra Leone on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
51.69
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Sierra Leone: 51.69. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Western Africa
- 79.99 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 49.89 · Liberia 74.37
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.15
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 3.15. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.394 Niger
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 5.163 · Liberia 2.884
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
86.04
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Sierra Leone: 86.04. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Western Africa
- 34.26 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Guinea 79.17 · Liberia 76.85
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 61.95 in 2000 to 51.69 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2025 51.69 57.720 2024 51.92 57.694 2023 51.97 58.158 2022 51.98 57.688 2021 51.71 56.066 2020 51.43 55.691 2019 52.09 57.871 2018 52.19 56.911 2017 52.68 56.738 2016 53.12 56.845 2015 53.67 56.788 2014 54.28 56.774 2013 55.36 56.229 2012 56.27 56.289 2011 57.16 56.297 2010 58.08 56.212 2009 59.00 56.255 2008 59.96 57.308 2007 60.90 56.933 2006 61.85 56.685 2005 62.80 56.129 2004 63.85 55.465 2003 62.13 55.630 2002 62.11 55.843 2001 61.89 56.018 2000 61.95 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 37.55 in 2004 to 36.84 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2025 36.84 46.230 2024 36.88 46.060 2023 36.75 45.900 2022 36.87 45.615 2021 35.40 45.433 2020 36.19 47.267 2019 36.60 46.277 2018 36.92 46.187 2017 36.90 46.467 2016 36.52 46.798 2015 37.82 46.876 2014 38.19 47.281 2013 35.63 46.887 2012 36.28 46.231 2011 36.69 45.679 2010 36.97 46.024 2009 37.62 47.071 2008 37.44 45.312 2007 37.53 45.246 2006 37.59 45.670 2005 37.69 46.265 2004 37.55 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 4.137 in 2000 to 3.15 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2025 3.150 5.08 2024 3.103 5.15 2023 3.092 5.21 2022 3.137 5.34 2021 3.551 6.04 2020 3.509 6.38 2019 3.204 5.36 2018 3.192 5.35 2017 3.656 5.59 2016 4.182 5.90 2015 4.483 6.41 2014 4.678 6.58 2013 4.376 6.71 2012 4.378 6.79 2011 4.388 6.90 2010 4.340 7.04 2009 4.268 6.67 2008 4.132 5.79 2007 4.022 6.00 2006 3.890 6.50 2005 3.734 7.09 2004 3.420 6.80 2003 3.879 6.95 2002 3.909 6.91 2001 4.235 6.96 2000 4.137 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
Sierra LeoneWorld median
Sierra Leone fell from 90.41 in 2000 to 86.04 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Sierra Leone World median 2025 86.04 28.67 2024 86.27 29.04 2023 86.50 29.33 2022 86.77 29.67 2021 86.95 30.01 2020 87.46 30.54 2019 86.22 29.98 2018 86.32 30.15 2017 86.41 29.93 2016 86.45 29.91 2015 86.54 30.26 2014 86.42 30.47 2013 86.83 31.14 2012 87.43 31.00 2011 87.82 31.41 2010 88.02 32.37 2009 88.26 32.59 2008 88.48 31.76 2007 88.76 33.47 2006 89.08 34.27 2005 89.36 34.66 2004 89.65 35.51 2003 89.99 35.90 2002 90.31 35.96 2001 90.53 35.27 2000 90.41 35.67
03In context
Sierra Leone beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Sierra Leone and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Liberia | 101st | 74.37 | 35.71 | 2.884 | 76.85 |
| Sierra Leone | 156th | 51.69 | 36.84 | 3.15 | 86.04 |
 Guinea | 169th | 49.89 | 36.18 | 5.163 | 79.17 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Sierra Leone in the topic’s list.
Armenia153rd
Egypt154th
Haiti155th- Sierra Leone156th
Namibia157th
Libya=158th
Rwanda=158th
04Context, no vote
Where Sierra Leone is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median4
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.833.7212.83▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 3.72 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 168th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.751.61No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 0.75 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6823.716.68No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 23.7 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 45th of 139 · derived.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which Sierra Leone does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3651.653.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Sierra Leone: 51.6 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 107th of 182 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0720.8332.07No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 20.83 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1612.9619.16No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 12.96 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 129th of 179 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7422,5506,742No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 2,550 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 112th of 151 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8156.9241.81No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 56.92 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 39th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6653.3761.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Sierra Leone: 53.37 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 144th of 182 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88535.474.885▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 35.47 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3849,85547,384▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 9,855 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 147th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.164.4122.16No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 4.41 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 161st of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.96.145.9No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 6.1 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2304,02825,230No real change since 2010
Sierra Leone: 4,028 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 137th of 151 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7693.236.76No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 93.2 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▲ Improved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8488.8131.84No real change since 2015
Sierra Leone: 88.81 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 3rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3844.4914.38Moved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 44.49 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 31st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
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.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5144.0459.51Moved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 44.04 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 145th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.015.9615.01No earlier reading
Sierra Leone: 5.96 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 111th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8811.4718.88Moved since 2015
Sierra Leone: 11.47 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 156th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95120.9657.95Moved since 2022
Sierra Leone: 120.9 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
No current reading for Sierra Leone
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2018), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2018), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2018), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2018), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2014) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2018). 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
Work & Labour among Sierra Leone’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Sierra Leone’s 12th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Sierra Leone can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysThis page
Sierra Leone156th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Sierra Leone on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Sierra Leone is placed 156th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Sierra Leone?
51.69 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Sierra Leone?
36.84 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Sierra Leone compare with Guinea on work & labour?
Guinea is placed 169th of 182, and Sierra Leone 156th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Guinea 49.89, Sierra Leone 51.69; Labour Income Share: Guinea 36.18, Sierra Leone 36.84; Unemployment Rate: Guinea 5.163, Sierra Leone 3.15; Vulnerable Employment: Guinea 79.17, Sierra Leone 86.04.
How have Sierra Leone’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 61.95 in 2000 to 51.69 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 37.55 in 2004 to 36.84 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 4.137 in 2000 to 3.15 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 90.41 in 2000 to 86.04 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Sierra Leone?
No current reading is published for Sierra Leone on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Sierra Leone: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sierra-leone/work