Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number) was 46,575 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Teachers in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for teachers in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone is 46,575, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 24.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, teachers in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone peaked at 49,768 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 5,142, in 1971.
That places Sierra Leone 85th out of 216 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number) in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 5,142 | — |
| 1972 | 5,599 | +8.9% |
| 1975 | 5,993 | +7.0% |
| 1976 | 6,373 | +6.3% |
| 1977 | 6,790 | +6.5% |
| 1978 | 7,088 | +4.4% |
| 1980 | 9,056 | +27.8% |
| 1981 | 9,528 | +5.2% |
| 1982 | 10,025 | +5.2% |
| 1983 | 10,451 | +4.2% |
| 1984 | 11,311 | +8.2% |
| 1985 | 12,215 | +8.0% |
| 1986 | 10,837 | -11.3% |
| 1988 | 13,640 | +25.9% |
| 1989 | 13,120 | -3.8% |
| 1990 | 11,280 | -14.0% |
| 1991 | 10,850 | -3.8% |
| 2001 | 14,875 | +37.1% |
| 2011 | 38,125 | +156.3% |
| 2012 | 37,957 | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 37,317 | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 40,303 | +8.0% |
| 2016 | 37,837 | -6.1% |
| 2017 | 37,703 | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 49,768 | +32.0% |
| 2019 | 47,738 | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 46,677 | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 43,747 | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 48,414 | +10.7% |
| 2023 | 46,007 | -5.0% |
| 2024 | 46,575 | +1.2% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 46,575 is below the median for low income countries, which is 68,981, 68% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 46,575 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 50,688, 92% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number) in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +156.3% | 14,875 | 38,125 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6,164 | 5,142 | 7,088 | 6 |
| 1980s | 11,131 | 9,056 | 13,640 | 9 |
| 1990s | 11,065 | 10,850 | 11,280 | 2 |
| 2000s | 14,875 | 14,875 | 14,875 | 1 |
| 2010s | 40,844 | 37,317 | 49,768 | 8 |
| 2020s | 46,284 | 43,747 | 48,414 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More education data for Sierra Leone
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 38,043 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 73,295 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 85,708 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 92,723 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.07 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.52 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2393 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is teachers in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone?
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone was 46,575 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest teachers in primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 49,768 in 2018.
- What is the lowest teachers in primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 5,142 in 1971.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for teachers in primary education, both sexes?
- Sierra Leone ranks 85th out of 216 countries with data for 2024.
- Is teachers in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.8%. 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 Teachers 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