Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 2.07 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone stood at 2.07 million. That is the highest value across all 34 years on record.
The figure is up 2.5% on the previous year and up 59.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone peaked at 2.07 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 166,107, in 1971.
Sierra Leone ranks 69th of 218 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 166,107 | — |
| 1972 | 176,658 | +6.4% |
| 1973 | 169,324 | -4.2% |
| 1974 | 181,911 | +7.4% |
| 1975 | 191,692 | +5.4% |
| 1976 | 205,910 | +7.4% |
| 1977 | 218,376 | +6.1% |
| 1978 | 227,815 | +4.3% |
| 1980 | 304,962 | +33.9% |
| 1981 | 315,145 | +3.3% |
| 1982 | 346,703 | +10.0% |
| 1983 | 350,160 | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 381,674 | +9.0% |
| 1985 | 416,024 | +9.0% |
| 1986 | 421,689 | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 422,210 | +0.1% |
| 1989 | 395,389 | -6.4% |
| 1990 | 391,152 | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 367,426 | -6.1% |
| 2000 | 442,915 | +20.5% |
| 2001 | 554,308 | +25.1% |
| 2011 | 1.19 million | +115.5% |
| 2012 | 1.25 million | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 1.30 million | +3.8% |
| 2015 | 1.36 million | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 1.41 million | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 1.49 million | +5.3% |
| 2018 | 1.37 million | -7.9% |
| 2019 | 1.77 million | +29.2% |
| 2020 | 1.76 million | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 1.96 million | +11.6% |
| 2022 | 2.05 million | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 2.02 million | -1.5% |
| 2024 | 2.07 million | +2.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 192,224 | 166,107 | 227,815 | 8 |
| 1980s | 372,662 | 304,962 | 422,210 | 9 |
| 1990s | 379,289 | 367,426 | 391,152 | 2 |
| 2000s | 498,612 | 442,915 | 554,308 | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.39 million | 1.19 million | 1.77 million | 8 |
| 2020s | 1.97 million | 1.76 million | 2.07 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More education data for Sierra Leone
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 553,045 (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 18.85 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 178,431 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 4 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 9,041 (2002)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 1.44 % change on previous year (2002)
- Teachers in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 15,753 (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 30,822 (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 2,602 (2002)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 2.2 % change on previous year (2002)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone was 2.07 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 2.07 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 166,107 in 1971.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Sierra Leone ranks 69th out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release