In the past, Sierra Leoneans were noted for their educational achievements, trading activity, entrepreneurial skills, and arts and crafts work, particularly woodcarving. Many are part of larger ethnic networks extending into several countries, which link West African states in the area. However, the level of education and infrastructure has declined sharply over the last 30 years.
Population:
5,732,681 (July 2003 est.), 5,232,624 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,259,421; female 1,310,516)
15-64 years: 52% (male 1,420,900; female 1,557,597)
65 years and over: 3.2% (male 89,078; female 95,169) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 44.73% (male 1,148,264; female 1,192,533)
15-64 years: 52.16% (male 1,305,039; female 1,424,076)
65 years and over: 3.11% (male 81,291; female 81,421) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.94% (2003 est.), 3.67% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 43.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.), 45.63 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 20.66 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.), 19.58 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate:
6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.), 10.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
note:
note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
'15-64 years:'' 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Maternal Mortality Ratio: 2000 deaths/100 000 births (2000 est.). Sierra Leone's MMR is the worst of any country in the world, according to the 2000 WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA report.
Infant mortality rate:
total: 146.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 128.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 164.23 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 148.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 42.84 years
male: 40.33 years
female: 45.42 years (2003 est.)
total population: 45.25 years
male: 42.37 years
female: 48.21 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.86 children born/woman (2003 est.), 6.08 children born/woman (2000 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 7% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective:
Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups: 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole 10% (descendants of freed slaves from the Americas, Jamaica, and recaptured slaves from West Africa who were re-settled in the Freetown area in the late-eighteenth century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages: 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%)
Literacy:
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
total population: 31.4%
male: 45.4%
female: 18.2% (1995 est.)