Although the country’s gross domestic product(GDP is very low compared to global GDP per capita, Sierra Leone has a projected GDP of $4.10 billion in the year 2022 and $4.30 billion in 2023. In 2021, the GDP was $3.91 billion after a growth rate of 2.2% since the 2020 which had a GDP of $3.865 billion.
Activities that contribute to the economy in the country include agriculture, mining industry, tourism industry, transport industry among others. Agriculture is the major contributor to the economy as it contributes 58% to the GDP. This sector also provides the highest source of employment, as the entire population practices it. Crops such as cocoa, coffee, and rice are the main subsistence crops cultivated, with rice farming taking 80% of the entire workforce. With 80% of the entire country’s population practicing agriculture, the rate of unemployment in the country was 4.4% in 2019 but rose to 4.6% in 2020 and 2021. It is projected that this rate will lower to 4.4% in 2022 as most countries continue to work on measures to solve the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country is also known for mining of rutile and famously, diamond. Despite the sector being prestigious for any country, Sierra Leone struggles with exploitation and poor management of the sector which leaves a huge blow to the economy. However, the country is also known for its beautiful sandy beaches, natural reserves and mountains, and hence tourism contributes 4.9% to the country’s GDP.
Despite the country’s resources, 80% of the population still live below the full poverty line. Poor management of the country as well as the civil war that happened in the country, are the major factors that have contributed to destruction of the economy. Efforts however, are being made to revive the country with support from various humanitarian organizations.

Education in Sierra Leone began in the 18th century when the first tertiary institution was started, making it one of the first countries in Western Africa to embrace the western education. However, there was a massive decline in the educational system growth as a result of the civil war that left many schools, homes and properties destroyed and this causing more poverty in the country
The government of Sierra Leone and the concerned stakeholders are still working to revive the educational system within the country. Currently, the country uses the 6-3-3-4 system, that is, 6 years in primary school, 3 years in the junior secondary, 3 years in the senior secondary school or technical vocational centers and 4 years at the university or tertiary institutions. National examinations are taken for admissions into secondary schools, senior secondary schools and universities.
Nonetheless, there are factors that derail the education sector in the country. This includes the allocation of fewer resources to the sector, shortage of facilities( such as labs) and cultural beliefs in the country that have affected the girl-child education. Furthermore, the illetratcy and poverty rates in the country have also led to the spread of child labor with 40% of children aged between 5 to 17 years doing hard labor jobs, mostly in the rural areas. With the government introducing free basic education to the students, it becomes more challenging for the parents to afford other expenses such as school uniforms, school materials and the transportation to the centers.