As of 2024, the top 1% in Sierra Leone earned 15.02% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.99%. Sierra Leone’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 12.89%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Sierra Leone in 2024
In 2024, income in Sierra Leone was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 15.02% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.99% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 15.02% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 47.00% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.99% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Sierra Leone?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Sierra Leone’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 12.89% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.13 percentage points to 15.02%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Sierra Leone has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 48.98% while the bottom 50% received 13.31%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 47.00% and 14.99% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 12.89% | 48.98% | 13.31% | 35.67 pp |
| 1986 | 12.89% | 48.98% | 13.31% | 35.67 pp |
| 1992 | 12.89% | 48.98% | 13.31% | 35.67 pp |
| 1998 | 12.89% | 48.98% | 13.31% | 35.67 pp |
| 2004 | 12.62% | 48.23% | 13.64% | 34.59 pp |
| 2010 | 10.96% | 43.71% | 15.59% | 28.12 pp |
| 2016 | 13.78% | 45.84% | 15.26% | 30.58 pp |
| 2022 | 15.02% | 47.00% | 14.99% | 32.01 pp |
How Sierra Leone Compares Globally
Sierra Leone vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Sierra Leone’s top 1% income share of 15.02% is roughly on par with the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Sierra Leone receives 14.99% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Sierra Leone Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Sierra Leone ranks 106th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Sierra Leone ranks 91st out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Sierra Leone include Armenia's income inequality, Afghanistan's wealth gap, income distribution in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Sierra Leone?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Sierra Leone earned 15.02% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Sierra Leone?
Income inequality in Sierra Leone has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 12.89% in 1980 to 15.02% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Sierra Leone?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Sierra Leone received 14.99% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 47.00%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.