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Statistics · Country
Literacy rate in Sierra Leone
2004 – 2019 · 6 data points
11 of 11 · Countries
Updated 22 Oct 2026
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 2004 – 2019
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Latest value · 2019
43.6%
−5.2 pp
since 2018
Countries · 2019
11 of 11
Place 1 is the highest value.
since 2004
+8.8 pp
vs World
−44.2 pp
World: 87.7% · 2024
Literacy rate, 2004 – 2019 percent · Sierra Leone · World
+8.8 pp since 2004
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2004
2015
2024
Sierra Leone
World
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 2004 – 2019
Compared with Literacy rate · percent
Sierra Leone
43.6%
World
87.7% · 2024
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators
The series at a glance Sierra Leone · 2004 – 2019
Latest value
43.6% · 2019
First value
34.8% · 2004
Highest
49.4% · 2015
Lowest
34.8% · 2004
Data points
6
By year
All years · 2004 – 2019
| Year | Sierra Leone | Change | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 43.6% | −5.2 pp | 86.8% |
| 2018 | 48.8% | +4.0 pp | 86.8% |
| 2017 | 44.8% | −4.6 pp | 86.5% |
| 2015 | 49.4% | +5.0 pp | 86.0% |
| 2014 | 44.4% | +9.5 pp | 85.6% |
| 2004 | 34.8% | 82.6% |
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 2004 – 2019
Ranking · Countries
2015 · Place 1 is the highest value.
| # | Territory | Literacy rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philippines | 98.2% | |
| 2 | Spain | 98.1% | |
| 3 | Chile | 96.9% | |
| 4 | Türkiye | 95.6% | |
| 5 | Indonesia | 95.2% | |
| 6 | Mexico | 94.5% | |
| 7 | Ecuador | 94.5% | |
| 8 | Colombia | 94.2% | |
| 9 | Brazil | 92.1% | |
| 10 | Honduras | 87.9% | |
| 11 | Bangladesh | 65.1% | |
| 12 | Sierra Leone | 49.4% |
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 2015
What it means
The share of people aged 15 and over who can read and write.
How it is calculated
People aged 15+ able to read and write a simple note divided by all people aged 15+.
Education & commute
Sierra Leone in numbers