Cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Cholera case-fatality rate was 8.5% in 2013. ◆ Volatile
Cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone, 1970–2013
Source: World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2013, cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone stood at 8.5%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 556.4% on the previous year and up 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone peaked at 25.3% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1977.
That places Sierra Leone 6th out of 118 countries with data for 2013, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 25.3% | — |
| 1971 | 6.2% | -75.6% |
| 1977 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1986 | 7.5% | — |
| 1987 | 5.4% | -27.9% |
| 1994 | 6.4% | +19.1% |
| 1995 | 4.3% | -32.3% |
| 1998 | 2.7% | -37.4% |
| 1999 | 0.6% | -78.7% |
| 2004 | 8.2% | +1313.1% |
| 2005 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2006 | 3.9% | — |
| 2007 | 3.8% | -2.1% |
| 2008 | 1.6% | -57.4% |
| 2012 | 1.3% | -19.8% |
| 2013 | 8.5% | +556.4% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 8.5% is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.0%, 8.5× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 8.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.2%, 7.1× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Cholera case-fatality rate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +1313.1% | 0.6% | 8.2% |
| 2013 | +556.4% | 1.3% | 8.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.5% | 0.0% | 25.3% | 3 |
| 1980s | 6.4% | 5.4% | 7.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 3.5% | 0.6% | 6.4% | 4 |
| 2000s | 3.5% | 0.0% | 8.2% | 5 |
| 2010s | 4.9% | 1.3% | 8.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More health data for Sierra Leone
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.34 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.773 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,199 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,209 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.6447 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0663 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.6611 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone?
- Cholera case-fatality rate in Sierra Leone was 8.5% in 2013, according to World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cholera case-fatality rate recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 25.3% in 1970.
- What is the lowest cholera case-fatality rate recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1977.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for cholera case-fatality rate?
- Sierra Leone ranks 6th out of 118 countries with data for 2013.
- Is cholera case-fatality rate rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cholera case-fatality rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of reported cholera cases that result in death. Testing and reporting is limited in many countries.