Sierra Leone across the 1960s: aggregated averages, peaks, and troughs
computed from World Bank WDI coverage between 1960 and 1969.
Decade Summary
| Indicator | Decade mean | Decade low | Decade high | Obs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (% of land area) | 36.50 | 36.19 | 36.84 | 9 |
| Average Precipitation (mm/year) | 2,526 mm/year | 2,526 mm/year | 2,526 mm/year | 9 |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000 people) | 48.76 per 1,000 | 48.03 per 1,000 | 49.11 per 1,000 | 10 |
| Death Rate (per 1,000 people) | 28.88 per 1,000 | 26.99 per 1,000 | 30.61 per 1,000 | 10 |
| GDP (current US$) | 353.66M | 322.15M | 408.85M | 10 |
| Land Area (sq. km) | 72,180 sq. km | 72,180 sq. km | 72,180 sq. km | 9 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth (years) | 36.12 years | 33.96 years | 38.25 years | 10 |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.764 | 0.693 | 0.873 | 9 |
| Population Density (people per sq. km) | 34.99 per sq. km | 32.43 per sq. km | 37.75 per sq. km | 9 |
| Population, Total | 2.50M people | 2.30M people | 2.72M people | 10 |
| Real Interest Rate (%) | 3.67 | -5.40 | 14.71 | 5 |
| Risk Premium on Lending (%) | 2.38 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 5 |
| Rural Population | 2.00M people | 1.90M people | 2.09M people | 10 |
Historical Context
The 1960s opened with Sierra Leone's independence on 27 April 1961, and closed with the one-party APC state consolidated under Siaka Stevens.
Key Sub-period Events
- 1961: Sierra Leone gains independence from the United Kingdom.
- 1967: Siaka Stevens elected Prime Minister; disputed results trigger military intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sierra Leone's average GDP in the 1960s?
Averaged across the 1960s, Sierra Leone's GDP (current US$) was $353.66M, with a decade low of $322.15M and high of $408.85M.
What was average life expectancy in Sierra Leone during the 1960s?
Life expectancy at birth averaged 36.12 years across the 1960s (low 33.96, high 38.25).
How large was Sierra Leone's population in the 1960s?
Population averaged 2.50M across the 1960s, ranging from 2.30M to 2.72M.
Which political events defined Sierra Leone in the 1960s?
The 1960s opened with Sierra Leone's independence on 27 April 1961, and closed with the one-party APC state consolidated under Siaka Stevens. Specific events are listed in the Key Sub-period Events list above.
Source: World Bank Development Data Group — values aggregated across the 1960s.