Ketcham, J. (2001). "Sierra Leonean Youth Statistics." S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population: 5,426,618 (Ranked 103^rd in the world by the US Census Bureau). Population density: 189 people per square mile. Children 0-14: 44.7 %—2,427,533. Teenage 10-19: 22.1 %—1,198,858. Youth between 15-24: 18.5%—1,002,218. Seniors Over 70: 1.7%—92,571. Male to female ratio: 93.8 males per 100 females. Birth rate: 45.63 per 1,000 people. Life expectancy at birth: 46.59 for males and 52.89 for females. Infant mortality rate: 123.07 per 1,000 live births.

EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE

The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports is responsible for the administration of education in Sierra Leone. In 1990, there were 1795 primary schools, with 367,000 students; there were 102,000 secondary students and 4,700 tertiary students.

ISSUES

Literacy is a major issue. Estimates place the national literacy rate at about 15% of the population (those over 15 who can read). Expanding the reach of the educational system is also a challenge. In 1990, the total number of students wasn’t even 10% of the total population.

SOURCES

UNESCO Statistics Division.

US Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook.

Freedom House