Sierra Leone vs South Africa: Life expectancy at birth

Sierra Leone
61.02
in 2021
South Africa
61.5
in 2021
Sierra Leone rank
170th
South Africa rank
167th

Life expectancy at birth over time

  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
0204060200020102021

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 61.5 against 61.02 in Sierra Leone, a difference of 0.48.

The two have swapped places 2 times across 22 shared years of data; in 2000 it was South Africa ahead.

Sierra Leone ranks 170th and South Africa ranks 167th of 184 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Sierra Leone South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 52.05 53.87 1.82 South Africa
2010s 57.5 62.49 5 South Africa
2020s 60.77 62.9 2.13 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher life expectancy at birth, Sierra Leone or South Africa?
South Africa, at 61.5 against 61.02 in Sierra Leone as of 2021.
What is the difference in life expectancy at birth between Sierra Leone and South Africa?
0.48, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Sierra Leone and South Africa?
22 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2021.
How do Sierra Leone and South Africa rank globally for life expectancy at birth?
Sierra Leone ranks 170th and South Africa ranks 167th of 184 countries.
Where does this data come from?
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as Life expectancy at birth (years). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Sierra Leone vs South Africa: Life expectancy at birth. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/life-expectancy-at-birth-years/sierra-leone/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Life expectancy at birth (years)
Source
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO)
Coverage
197 places, 4,334 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed