External balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: External balance on goods and services was -12.37 billion current LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone, 1964–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
In 2025, external balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone stood at -12.37 billion current LCU.
The figure is down 30.6% on the previous year and down 131.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone peaked at 20.67 million current LCU in 1994 and was at its lowest, -18.26 billion current LCU, in 2023.
That places Sierra Leone 115th out of 192 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -4,767 current LCU | -10,700 current LCU | 8,300 current LCU | 6 |
| 1970s | -29,610 current LCU | -84,200 current LCU | 6,300 current LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 924,190 current LCU | -244,000 current LCU | 4.92 million current LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | -34.09 million current LCU | -127.50 million current LCU | 20.67 million current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | -675.02 million current LCU | -944.72 million current LCU | -282.83 million current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | -5.37 billion current LCU | -10.68 billion current LCU | -1.39 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | -11.16 billion current LCU | -18.26 billion current LCU | -7.12 billion current LCU | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More economy & growth data for Sierra Leone
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP -7.3% (2025)
- Inflation of consumer prices 7.5% (2025)
- GDP per capita 1,166 constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) 7.0% (2024)
- Gross domestic product (GDP) 10.28 billion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- GDP per capita in international and market dollars 1,166 constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- DEC alternative conversion factor 22.66 LCU per US$ (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) 9.63 billion current LCU (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) 425.00 million current US$ (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products 5.35 billion current LCU (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone?
- External balance on goods and services in Sierra Leone was -12.37 billion current LCU in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 20.67 million current LCU in 1994.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was -18.26 billion current LCU in 2023.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for external balance on goods and services?
- Sierra Leone ranks 115th out of 192 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 131.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of External balance on goods and services (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The balance of international trade in goods and services is the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This series is expressed in local currency units.