Military expenditure (current USD) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Military expenditure was 36.45 million current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in Sierra Leone, 1960–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military expenditure in Sierra Leone is 36.45 million current USD, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 3.6% on the previous year and down 25.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Sierra Leone peaked at 48.81 million current USD in 2014 and was at its lowest, 1.93 million current USD, in 1961.
Sierra Leone ranks 153rd of 168 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.96 million current USD | — |
| 1961 | 1.93 million current USD | -1.5% |
| 1962 | 1.98 million current USD | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 2.16 million current USD | +8.7% |
| 1964 | 2.35 million current USD | +9.2% |
| 1965 | 2.51 million current USD | +6.5% |
| 1966 | 2.54 million current USD | +1.3% |
| 1967 | 2.88 million current USD | +13.5% |
| 1968 | 2.66 million current USD | -7.8% |
| 1969 | 3.30 million current USD | +24.1% |
| 1970 | 3.99 million current USD | +20.9% |
| 1971 | 3.77 million current USD | -5.4% |
| 1972 | 4.23 million current USD | +12.3% |
| 1973 | 5.02 million current USD | +18.6% |
| 1974 | 6.78 million current USD | +35.0% |
| 1975 | 6.53 million current USD | -3.7% |
| 1976 | 6.02 million current USD | -7.7% |
| 1977 | 7.06 million current USD | +17.3% |
| 1978 | 8.12 million current USD | +14.9% |
| 1979 | 10.79 million current USD | +32.9% |
| 1980 | 15.91 million current USD | +47.5% |
| 1981 | 15.79 million current USD | -0.8% |
| 1982 | 14.13 million current USD | -10.5% |
| 1983 | 10.24 million current USD | -27.5% |
| 1984 | 9.92 million current USD | -3.1% |
| 1985 | 6.28 million current USD | -36.7% |
| 1986 | 7.23 million current USD | +15.1% |
| 1987 | 4.59 million current USD | -36.6% |
| 1988 | 9.01 million current USD | +96.5% |
| 1989 | 14.39 million current USD | +59.7% |
| 1990 | 12.39 million current USD | -13.9% |
| 1991 | 23.18 million current USD | +87.1% |
| 1992 | 26.66 million current USD | +15.0% |
| 1993 | 23.34 million current USD | -12.5% |
| 1994 | 26.50 million current USD | +13.5% |
| 1995 | 25.02 million current USD | -5.6% |
| 1996 | 18.59 million current USD | -25.7% |
| 1997 | 9.49 million current USD | -49.0% |
| 1998 | 10.05 million current USD | +5.9% |
| 1999 | 17.00 million current USD | +69.1% |
| 2000 | 23.31 million current USD | +37.1% |
| 2001 | 29.91 million current USD | +28.3% |
| 2002 | 27.13 million current USD | -9.3% |
| 2003 | 28.47 million current USD | +4.9% |
| 2004 | 22.96 million current USD | -19.3% |
| 2005 | 23.55 million current USD | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 28.02 million current USD | +19.0% |
| 2007 | 29.08 million current USD | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 23.65 million current USD | -18.7% |
| 2009 | 26.41 million current USD | +11.7% |
| 2010 | 25.06 million current USD | -5.1% |
| 2011 | 25.48 million current USD | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 29.76 million current USD | +16.8% |
| 2013 | 31.68 million current USD | +6.5% |
| 2014 | 48.81 million current USD | +54.1% |
| 2015 | 39.23 million current USD | -19.6% |
| 2016 | 37.41 million current USD | -4.6% |
| 2017 | 39.58 million current USD | +5.8% |
| 2018 | 29.62 million current USD | -25.2% |
| 2019 | 24.56 million current USD | -17.1% |
| 2020 | 32.60 million current USD | +32.7% |
| 2021 | 43.43 million current USD | +33.2% |
| 2022 | 41.80 million current USD | -3.8% |
| 2023 | 37.83 million current USD | -9.5% |
| 2024 | 36.45 million current USD | -3.6% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 36.45 million current USD is below the median for low income countries, which is 375.21 million current USD, 10% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 36.45 million current USD is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 293.92 million current USD, 12% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.43 million current USD | 1.93 million current USD | 3.30 million current USD | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.23 million current USD | 3.77 million current USD | 10.79 million current USD | 10 |
| 1980s | 10.75 million current USD | 4.59 million current USD | 15.91 million current USD | 10 |
| 1990s | 19.22 million current USD | 9.49 million current USD | 26.66 million current USD | 10 |
| 2000s | 26.25 million current USD | 22.96 million current USD | 29.91 million current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.12 million current USD | 24.56 million current USD | 48.81 million current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.42 million current USD | 32.60 million current USD | 43.43 million current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More public sector data for Sierra Leone
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Democracy 3 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in Sierra Leone?
- Military expenditure in Sierra Leone was 36.45 million current USD in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 48.81 million current USD in 2014.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.93 million current USD in 1961.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for military expenditure?
- Sierra Leone ranks 153rd out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current USD). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military spending USD, in current prices (converted at the exchange rate for the given year)