Computer, communications and other services (%) … imports in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Computer, communications and other services (%) … imports was 16.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Computer, communications and other services in Sierra Leone, 1977–2024
Source: Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in % of commercial service imports.
Analysis
In 2024, computer, communications and other services in Sierra Leone stood at 16.6%.
The figure is up 450.2% on the previous year and down 78.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, computer, communications and other services in Sierra Leone peaked at 76.1% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 2.2%, in 2002.
That places Sierra Leone 163rd out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Computer, communications and other services (%) … imports in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of commercial service imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 41.7% | — |
| 1978 | 24.7% | -40.8% |
| 1979 | 24.2% | -2.1% |
| 1980 | 21.1% | -12.8% |
| 1981 | 24.1% | +14.6% |
| 1982 | 23.4% | -3.0% |
| 1983 | 26.4% | +12.9% |
| 1984 | 34.8% | +31.7% |
| 1985 | 34.2% | -1.6% |
| 1986 | 26.5% | -22.5% |
| 1987 | 13.0% | -51.1% |
| 1988 | 18.4% | +41.6% |
| 1989 | 37.6% | +104.9% |
| 1990 | 33.0% | -12.3% |
| 1991 | 32.4% | -1.9% |
| 1992 | 28.1% | -13.2% |
| 1993 | 23.7% | -15.8% |
| 1994 | 13.4% | -43.6% |
| 1995 | 16.3% | +22.1% |
| 1996 | 15.4% | -5.5% |
| 1997 | 26.3% | +71.0% |
| 1998 | 22.5% | -14.7% |
| 1999 | 30.8% | +37.1% |
| 2000 | 35.9% | +16.5% |
| 2001 | 30.4% | -15.4% |
| 2002 | 2.2% | -92.8% |
| 2003 | 9.5% | +332.5% |
| 2004 | 14.2% | +49.6% |
| 2005 | 3.2% | -77.2% |
| 2006 | 12.6% | +290.9% |
| 2007 | 12.5% | -0.9% |
| 2008 | 12.2% | -2.7% |
| 2009 | 9.7% | -20.6% |
| 2010 | 43.0% | +344.2% |
| 2011 | 32.9% | -23.5% |
| 2012 | 44.5% | +35.5% |
| 2013 | 50.7% | +13.9% |
| 2014 | 76.1% | +50.0% |
| 2015 | 71.6% | -5.8% |
| 2016 | 54.7% | -23.7% |
| 2017 | 36.7% | -33.0% |
| 2018 | 34.3% | -6.6% |
| 2019 | 28.7% | -16.2% |
| 2020 | 4.7% | -83.7% |
| 2021 | 3.0% | -35.3% |
| 2022 | 3.3% | +8.7% |
| 2023 | 3.0% | -8.0% |
| 2024 | 16.6% | +450.2% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 16.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 21.3%, 78% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 16.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 32.0%, 52% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Computer, communications and other services (%) … imports in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +450.2% | 3.0% | 16.6% |
| 2010 | +344.2% | 9.7% | 43.0% |
| 2003 | +332.5% | 2.2% | 9.5% |
| 2006 | +290.9% | 3.2% | 12.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 30.2% | 24.2% | 41.7% | 3 |
| 1980s | 26.0% | 13.0% | 37.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 24.2% | 13.4% | 33.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 14.2% | 2.2% | 35.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 47.3% | 28.7% | 76.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.1% | 3.0% | 16.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More private sector data for Sierra Leone
- Merchandise trade 45.9% (2025)
- Food imports 32.3% (2018)
- Manufactures imports 63.9% (2018)
- Merchandise imports 1.89 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 481.67 million current US$ (2024)
- Food exports 45.6% (2018)
- Manufactures exports 25.1% (2018)
- Merchandise exports 1.53 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 49.60 million current US$ (2024)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 173.93 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is computer, communications and other services in Sierra Leone?
- Computer, communications and other services in Sierra Leone was 16.6% in 2024, according to Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest computer, communications and other services recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 76.1% in 2014.
- What is the lowest computer, communications and other services recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.2% in 2002.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for computer, communications and other services?
- Sierra Leone ranks 163rd out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is computer, communications and other services rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 78.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Computer, communications and other services (% of commercial service imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Computer, communications and other services include such activities as international telecommunications, and postal and courier services; computer data; news-related service transactions between residents and nonresidents; construction services; royalties and license fees; miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services; and personal, cultural, and recreational services. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of service imports which are commercial services provided by non-residents to residents.