Formal Savings Statistics in Sierra Leone (2026)
In 2024, 6.2% of adults in Sierra Leone saved at a formal financial institution, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 4.9% in 2021 to 6.2% in 2024 (+1.3 percentage points). Sierra Leone ranks #30 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #132 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 6.2% (2024)
- Formal Savings in Sierra Leone as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +1.3 pp (2024)
- Up from 4.9% in 2021 to 6.2% in 2024 (+1.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 14.5% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 14.5% in 2011 to 6.2% in 2024.
- Peak value (2011)
- 14.5% (2011)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 6.2%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #30 of 36 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 30 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #132 of 142 (2024)
- Sierra Leone ranks 132 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 13.9% (2024)
- Sierra Leone (6.2%) is below the average of 13.9% 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, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.2% | +1.3 pp |
| 2021 | 4.9% | −0.3 pp |
| 2017 | 5.2% | −5.8 pp |
| 2014 | 10.9% | −3.5 pp |
| 2011 | 14.5% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Sierra Leone saved at a formal financial institution?
6.2% of adults in Sierra Leone saved at a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does Sierra Leone compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sierra Leone ranks 30 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 6.2% versus a regional average of 13.9% (latest values per country).
Where does Sierra Leone rank globally on formal savings?
Sierra Leone ranks 132 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
When did formal savings in Sierra Leone peak?
The highest value in the available series was 14.5% in 2011; the latest (2024) value is 6.2%.
How recent is the formal savings data for Sierra Leone?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank Global Findex data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Sierra Leone.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin17a, 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 .