Sierra Leone across the 1980s: aggregated averages, peaks, and troughs
computed from World Bank WDI coverage between 1980 and 1989.
Decade Summary
| Indicator | Decade mean | Decade low | Decade high | Obs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (% of land area) | 38.54 | 37.74 | 39.14 | 10 |
| Average Precipitation (mm/year) | 2,526 mm/year | 2,526 mm/year | 2,526 mm/year | 10 |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000 people) | 46.37 per 1,000 | 45.88 per 1,000 | 46.54 per 1,000 | 10 |
| Death Rate (per 1,000 people) | 21.92 per 1,000 | 21.45 per 1,000 | 22.62 per 1,000 | 10 |
| GDP (current US$) | 958.84M | 490.18M | 1.29B | 10 |
| Land Area (sq. km) | 72,180 sq. km | 72,180 sq. km | 72,180 sq. km | 10 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth (years) | 43.76 years | 43.13 years | 44.05 years | 10 |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.12 | 0.695 | 1.54 | 10 |
| Population Density (people per sq. km) | 51.71 per sq. km | 46.65 per sq. km | 57.62 per sq. km | 10 |
| Population, Total | 3.73M people | 3.37M people | 4.16M people | 10 |
| Real Interest Rate (%) | -15.50 | -51.62 | 18.10 | 10 |
| Risk Premium on Lending (%) | 6.13 | 1.63 | 12.04 | 10 |
| Rural Population | 2.55M people | 2.36M people | 2.79M people | 10 |
| Trade in Services (% of GDP) | 9.09 | 6.92 | 12.55 | 10 |
Historical Context
The 1980s brought the 1985 succession of Joseph Momoh and a slide in primary export prices that pressured fiscal accounts.
Key Sub-period Events
- 1985: Joseph Momoh succeeds Stevens as President.
- 1987: Economic Emergency declared amid fiscal crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sierra Leone's average GDP in the 1980s?
Averaged across the 1980s, Sierra Leone's GDP (current US$) was $958.84M, with a decade low of $490.18M and high of $1.29B.
What was average life expectancy in Sierra Leone during the 1980s?
Life expectancy at birth averaged 43.76 years across the 1980s (low 43.13, high 44.05).
How large was Sierra Leone's population in the 1980s?
Population averaged 3.73M across the 1980s, ranging from 3.37M to 4.16M.
Which political events defined Sierra Leone in the 1980s?
The 1980s brought the 1985 succession of Joseph Momoh and a slide in primary export prices that pressured fiscal accounts. Specific events are listed in the Key Sub-period Events list above.
Source: World Bank Development Data Group — values aggregated across the 1980s.