Bank Account Ownership Statistics in Sierra Leone (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 15% of adults in Sierra Leone had an account at a bank or similar financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Up from 13.8% in 2021 to 15% in 2024 (+1.2 percentage points). Sierra Leone ranks #28 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #135 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 15% (2024)
- Bank Account Ownership in Sierra Leone as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +1.2 pp (2024)
- Up from 13.8% in 2021 to 15% in 2024 (+1.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 15.3% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 15.3% in 2011 to 15% in 2024.
- Peak value (2011)
- 15.3% (2011)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 15%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #28 of 36 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 28 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #135 of 145 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 135 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 30.3% (2024)
- Sierra Leone (15%) is below the average of 30.3% across the 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 13.2% (2024)
- Value for women in Sierra Leone, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 16.9% (2024)
- Value for men in Sierra Leone, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −3.7 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 13.2% for women and 16.9% for men — 3.7 percentage points lower among women.
- In rural areas (2024)
- 10.2% (2024)
- Value for rural residents of Sierra Leone in 2024.
- Rural gap vs national
- −4.8 pp (2024)
- Rural residents (10.2%) are 4.8 percentage points below the national figure (15%).
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 10.1% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Sierra Leone in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −4.9 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (10.1%) are 4.9 percentage points below the national figure (15%).
- Internet use in Sierra Leone (2024)
- 25.1% (2024)
- 25.1% of the population in Sierra Leone used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 8.6 million (2024)
- Sierra Leone had a population of 8.6 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15% | +1.2 pp |
| 2021 | 13.8% | +1.4 pp |
| 2017 | 12.4% | −1.8 pp |
| 2014 | 14.1% | −1.2 pp |
| 2011 | 15.3% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Sierra Leone had an account at a bank or similar financial institution?
15% of adults in Sierra Leone had an account at a bank or similar financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has bank account ownership in Sierra Leone changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a decline from 15.3% in 2011 to 15% in 2024.
How does Sierra Leone compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sierra Leone ranks 28 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 15% versus a regional average of 30.3% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fiaccount.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .