Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 274 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sierra Leone, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
Sierra Leone recorded 274 for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in 2024.
The figure is up 13.7% on the previous year and down 27.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sierra Leone peaked at 950.48 in 2011 and was at its lowest, -7.46, in 1993.
That places Sierra Leone 146th out of 222 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 32.43 | — |
| 1991 | 7.5 | -76.9% |
| 1992 | -5.6 | -174.6% |
| 1993 | -7.46 | +33.3% |
| 1994 | -2.87 | -61.5% |
| 1995 | 7.29 | -353.5% |
| 1996 | 0.6639 | -90.9% |
| 1997 | 1.8 | +171.1% |
| 1998 | 0.1049 | -94.2% |
| 1999 | 0.5332 | +408.4% |
| 2000 | 39 | +7214.5% |
| 2001 | 9.84 | -74.8% |
| 2002 | 10.41 | +5.9% |
| 2003 | 8.62 | -17.3% |
| 2004 | 61.15 | +609.8% |
| 2005 | 83.18 | +36.0% |
| 2006 | 58.77 | -29.4% |
| 2007 | 96.58 | +64.3% |
| 2008 | 57.62 | -40.3% |
| 2009 | 110.85 | +92.4% |
| 2010 | 238.44 | +115.1% |
| 2011 | 950.48 | +298.6% |
| 2012 | 722.45 | -24.0% |
| 2013 | 429.66 | -40.5% |
| 2014 | 375.09 | -12.7% |
| 2015 | 252.44 | -32.7% |
| 2016 | 138.52 | -45.1% |
| 2017 | 413.73 | +198.7% |
| 2018 | 185.65 | -55.1% |
| 2019 | 121.78 | -34.4% |
| 2020 | 51 | -58.1% |
| 2021 | 214 | +319.6% |
| 2022 | 145 | -32.2% |
| 2023 | 241 | +66.2% |
| 2024 | 274 | +13.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 274 is above the median for low income countries, which is 274, 1.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 274 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 596.7, 46% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | +7214.5% | 0.5332 | 39 |
| 2004 | +609.8% | 8.62 | 61.15 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.44 | -7.46 | 32.43 | 10 |
| 2000s | 53.6 | 8.62 | 110.85 | 10 |
| 2010s | 382.82 | 121.78 | 950.48 | 10 |
| 2020s | 185 | 51 | 274 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
- 143 Papua New Guinea 303.34 compare
- 144 Seychelles 298.58 compare
- 145 Tajikistan 291.31 compare
- 147 Timor-Leste 247.27 compare
- 147 East Timor 247.27 compare
- 149 Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 246.81 compare
More economy & growth data for Sierra Leone
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.55 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.53 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -33,272 BoP, current US$ (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -0.0053 BoP, current US$ per person (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 121.78 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -16.53 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0175 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 14.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate -12.59 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sierra Leone?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Sierra Leone was 274 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 950.48 in 2011.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was -7.46 in 1993.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Sierra Leone ranks 146th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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