Formal Borrowing Statistics in Sierra Leone (2026)
In 2024, 5.4% of adults in Sierra Leone borrowed from a formal financial institution, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 4.3% in 2021 to 5.4% in 2024 (+1.1 percentage points). Sierra Leone ranks #24 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #126 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 5.4% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Sierra Leone as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +1.1 pp (2024)
- Up from 4.3% in 2021 to 5.4% in 2024 (+1.1 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 4.1% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 4.1% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 5.4% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Sierra Leone.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #24 of 36 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 24 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #126 of 142 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 126 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 7.8% (2024)
- Sierra Leone (5.4%) is below the average of 7.8% across the 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- 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, 2014–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5.4% | +1.1 pp |
| 2021 | 4.3% | −0.9 pp |
| 2017 | 5.2% | +1.1 pp |
| 2014 | 4.1% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Sierra Leone borrowed from a formal financial institution?
5.4% of adults in Sierra Leone borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has formal borrowing in Sierra Leone changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 4.1% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2024.
How does Sierra Leone compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sierra Leone ranks 24 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 5.4% versus a regional average of 7.8% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, 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 .