Unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Unmet need for contraception was 24.8% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone, 2008–2019
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
In 2019, unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone stood at 24.8%. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 5.7% on the previous year and down 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone peaked at 28.4% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 24.8%, in 2019.
Sierra Leone ranks 9th of 58 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 28.4% | — |
| 2010 | 27.4% | -3.5% |
| 2013 | 25.0% | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 26.3% | +5.2% |
| 2019 | 24.8% | -5.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 24.8% is above the median for low income countries, which is 21.2%, 1.2× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 24.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 1.1× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.4% | 28.4% | 28.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 25.9% | 24.8% | 27.4% | 4 |
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 unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone?
- Unmet need for contraception in Sierra Leone was 24.8% in 2019, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 28.4% in 2008.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.8% in 2019.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Sierra Leone ranks 9th out of 58 countries with data for 2019.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.