Share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Share of women using contraceptives was 21.2% in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone, 2000–2019
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone is 21.2%, measured in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.9% on the previous year and up 158.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone peaked at 22.5% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 4.3%, in 2000.
Sierra Leone ranks 106th of 116 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4.3% | — |
| 2006 | 5.3% | +22.6% |
| 2008 | 8.2% | +56.1% |
| 2010 | 11.0% | +34.3% |
| 2013 | 16.6% | +50.7% |
| 2017 | 22.5% | +35.7% |
| 2019 | 21.2% | -5.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.9% | 4.3% | 8.2% | 3 |
| 2010s | 17.8% | 11.0% | 22.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More gender data for Sierra Leone
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 3,446 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.722 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 122,158 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 124,999 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 118,334 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 120,652 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 116,120 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 118,274 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 114,582 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 116,632 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone?
- Share of women using contraceptives in Sierra Leone was 21.2% in 2019, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 22.5% in 2017.
- What is the lowest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.3% in 2000.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for share of women using contraceptives?
- Sierra Leone ranks 106th out of 116 countries with data for 2019.
- Is share of women using contraceptives rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 158.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using contraceptives. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.