Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) was 31.9% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Sierra Leone, 2015–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Sierra Leone is 31.9%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 5.3% on the previous year and up 19.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Sierra Leone peaked at 33.7% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 26.7%, in 2015.
That places Sierra Leone 6th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 26.7% | — |
| 2016 | 31.9% | +19.5% |
| 2017 | 32.6% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 32.4% | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 32.2% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 31.5% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 31.9% | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 32.3% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 33.7% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | 31.9% | -5.3% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 31.9% is above the median for low income countries, which is 17.6%, 1.8× the median. (15 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 31.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 17.0%, 1.9× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 31.2% | 26.7% | 32.6% | 5 |
| 2020s | 32.3% | 31.5% | 33.7% | 5 |
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,209 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0676 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Sierra Leone?
- Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Sierra Leone was 31.9% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 33.7% in 2023.
- What is the lowest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.7% in 2015.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population?
- Sierra Leone ranks 6th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.