Total reserves in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Total reserves was 18.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Sierra Leone, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in Sierra Leone is 18.6%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.8% on the previous year and down 55.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Sierra Leone peaked at 47.3% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1989.
That places Sierra Leone 85th out of 111 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 21.7% | 10.0% | 38.9% | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.9% | 0.3% | 6.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.1% | 0.5% | 3.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.8% | 3.9% | 47.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 35.5% | 27.3% | 43.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.0% | 18.6% | 37.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
- 82 Bangladesh 20.5% compare
- 83 Malawi 20.1% compare
- 84 Montenegro 19.9% compare
- 86 Rwanda 18.4% compare
- 87 Sao Tome and Principe 18.0% compare
- 88 Georgia 17.7% compare
More financial sector data for Sierra Leone
- Domestic credit to private sector 5.5% (2025)
- Net domestic credit 41.83 billion current LCU (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 1.75 (2024)
- Net foreign assets 417.37 million current LCU (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 5.5% (2025)
- Official exchange rate 21.3 LCU per US$, period average (2023)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 5.5% (2025)
- Net migration -11,309 (2025)
- Broad money 22.6% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 19.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Sierra Leone?
- Total reserves in Sierra Leone was 18.6% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 47.3% in 2009.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1989.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for total reserves?
- Sierra Leone ranks 85th out of 111 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 55.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.