Freedom of Expression Score in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Freedom of Expression Score was 5 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Sierra Leone, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Sierra Leone is 5, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 16.7% on the previous year and down 16.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Sierra Leone peaked at 7 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 5, in 2025.
Sierra Leone ranks 49th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | — |
| 2007 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 7 | +16.7% |
| 2015 | 6 | -14.3% |
| 2017 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 5 | -16.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 5 is above the median for low income countries, which is 3, 1.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 5 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4, 1.2× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 2010s | 6.2 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| 2020s | 5.67 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More social development data for Sierra Leone
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8,925 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8,925 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Sierra Leone?
- Freedom of expression score in Sierra Leone was 5 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 7 in 2013.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 5 in 2025.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for freedom of expression score?
- Sierra Leone ranks 49th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Freedom of Expression Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Indicates the extent to which individuals, groups, and the press can express their views free from government interference.