Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age was 24.8% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone, 2008–2019
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 married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone is 24.8%, measured in 2019. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 5.7% on the previous year and down 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone peaked at 28.4% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 24.8%, in 2019.
Sierra Leone ranks 9th of 58 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 28.4% | — |
| 2010 | 27.4% | -3.5% |
| 2013 | 25.0% | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 26.3% | +5.2% |
| 2019 | 24.8% | -5.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 24.8% is above the median for low income countries, which is 21.2%, 1.2× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 24.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 1.1× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.4% | 28.4% | 28.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 25.9% | 24.8% | 27.4% | 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)
- Population 6,249 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 6,249 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.45 % 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone?
- Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone was 24.8% 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 unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 28.4% in 2008.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.8% in 2019.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age?
- Sierra Leone ranks 9th out of 58 countries with data for 2019.
- Is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Fertile, married women of reproductive age (ages 15-49) who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.