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ECON FACTBOOK

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Economy of Sierra Leone

Population: 6.1 million in 20131

GDP: $4.9 billion in 20132

GDP per capita: $679 nominal3 ($1,927 PPP4) in 2013

GDP growth rate: 5.5% in 20135

Industries

GDP by Industry 20126

Industry sectorValue added ($ millions) 2012Percent of total
Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing1,60656.1%
Other activities59120.6%
Wholesale, retail trade, restaurants and hotels2789.7%
Transport, storage and communication1585.5%
Mining and utilities1294.5%
Manufacturing662.3%
Construction371.3%
Total value added2,866100%

Employment

Unemployment rate: 3.2% in 20137

Employment by Industry 20138

Employment sectorPercent of total
Agriculture48%
Services33%
Industry19%
Total100%

Corporations

Top 10 Corporations by Revenue 20139

N/A

Households

Household Wealth: $2 billion (41% of GDP) in 201410

Household Wealth per Adult: $700 in 201410

Gini Coefficient: .354 in 201311

Government

Central Government

Central Government Revenue: $615 million (12% of GDP) in 201312

Central Government Expenditure: $754 million (15% of GDP) in 201312

Central Government Budget Balance: -$139 million (-3% of GDP) in 201312

Central Government Public Debt: N/A

Central Government 10 Year Bond Interest Rate: N/A

Government Funds

N/A

Tax Structure

Individual Income Tax Rates and Thresholds in 2014* 13

Corporate Tax Rate: 30% in 201414

  • * Individual thresholds calculated using the exchange rate 4,394 SLL = 1 USD

    Monetary Policy

    Money Supply (M1): $408 million (8% of GDP) in Jun 2014* 15

    Benchmark Interest Rate: 10% in Dec 201316

    Total Reserves: $532 million (11% of GDP) in 201317

    Exchange Rate: 4,394 Sierra Leonean Leones = 1 U.S. Dollar on Feb 18, 201518

    Inflation: 10.3% in 201319

    * Money supply calculated using the exchange rate 4,394 SLL = 1 USD

    Financial Institutions

    Top 10 Financial Institutions by Assets 201320

    N/A (data available at Relbanks.com)

    International Accounts

    Exports: $1.6 billion (33% of GDP) in 201321

    Imports: $1.7 billion (35% of GDP) in 201321

    Trade Balance: -$0.1 billion (-2% of GDP) in 201321

    Foreign Direct Investment Inflow: $144 million (3% of GDP) in 201322

    Foreign Direct Investment Outflow: N/A

    Foreign Aid Inflow: $443 million (9% of GDP) in 201223

    Foreign Aid Outflow: N/A

    References

    1. Source: World Bank Indicators (Population) Go back
    2. Source: World Bank Indicators (GDP) Go back
    3. Source: World Bank Indicators (GDP per capita) Go back
    4. Source: World Bank Indicators (GDP per capita PPP) Go back
    5. Source: World Bank Indicators (GDP growth rate) Go back
    6. Source: United Nations Statistics Division (GDP by industry) Go back
    7. Source: World Bank Indicators (Unemployment rate) Go back
    8. Source: CIA World Factbook (Employment by economic activity) Go back
    9. Source: Annual reports (Corporate data) Go back
    10. Source: Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook (Household wealth) Go back
    11. Source: UN Human Development Report (Gini coefficient) Go back
    12. Source: CIA World Factbook (Government budget) Go back
    13. Source: KPMG Fiscal Guide (Individual tax rates) Go back
    14. Source: KPMG Fiscal Guide (Corporate tax rate) Go back
    15. Source: Bank of Sierra Leone, Statisitics, Monetary Sector Data (Money supply) Go back
    16. Source: Bloomberg (Benchmark interest rate) Go back
    17. Source: World Bank Indicators (Total reserves) Go back
    18. Source: xe.com (Exchange rate) Go back
    19. Source: World Bank Indicators (Inflation rate) Go back
    20. Source: Relbanks.com (Financial institutions by assets) Go back
    21. Source: CIA World Factbook (Trade data) Go back
    22. Source: World Bank Indicators (FDI data) Go back
    23. Source: World Bank Indicators (Aid data) Go back