Sierra Leone Rate of Natural Increase

Sierra Leone’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—remains relatively high, reflecting a youthful population and ongoing demographic transition. As of recent estimates, Sierra Leone’s RNI is around 2.2% per year, driven by a high birth rate (about 34 births per 1,000 people) and a declining, but still significant, death rate (about 12 deaths per 1,000 people). Compared to its neighbors, Sierra Leone’s RNI is slightly lower than Guinea’s (approximately 2.5%) and Liberia’s (around 2.4%), both of which also experience high fertility rates and similar mortality patterns. However, all three countries share the common challenge of improving health outcomes and reducing mortality, which would further lower their death rates and potentially increase their RNIs in the short term. In contrast, countries further along the demographic transition, such as Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire, have somewhat lower RNIs due to declining birth rates and improved health systems. Overall, Sierra Leone’s RNI reflects both its progress in reducing mortality and the persistent high fertility typical of many West African nations.

Data from US Census International Database