Moving to Sierra Leone from Gambia

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Gambia to Sierra Leone? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Gambia to Sierra Leone.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Gambia to Sierra Leone.

Living there in 2020
524 ↓ 26% vs 2015

people born in Gambia live in Sierra Leone · UN DESA

Who's moving to Sierra Leone?

Top countries of origin for Sierra Leone's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Sierra Leone compared to Gambia.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GM
22.0
SL
13.8

Sierra Leone performs significantly better than Gambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GM
$94
SL
$159
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GM
1.0
SL
0.4

Gambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sierra Leone leads in adult obesity rate.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GM
90.0
SL
97.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GM
0.2t
SL
0.2t

Gambia performs better than Sierra Leone across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GM
0.2
SL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GM
2.2%
SL
0.5%

Gambia generally does better on infrastructure, though Sierra Leone leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GM
6.5%
SL
3.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GM
$2,900
SL
$1,700

Gambia generally does better on employment & economy, though Sierra Leone leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GM
67.6 yrs
SL
58.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GM
37.2
SL
73.4

Gambia generally does better on family life, though Sierra Leone leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Banjul Rain: 32.3 in/yr (821 mm)
90° / 70°F

Avg. annual high / low

Freetown Rain: 116.0 in/yr (2946 mm)
86° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Banjul Freetown
Jan–Mar 91°/65°F (33°/19°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 89°/70°F (32°/21°C) 87°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 89°/74°F (32°/23°C) 84°/74°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 92°/71°F (33°/22°C) 86°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Banjul Freetown
Jan 90°/64°F (32.4°/17.9°C) 86°/75°F (29.9°/23.8°C)
Feb 92°/65°F (33.2°/18.3°C) 87°/75°F (30.3°/24.0°C)
Mar 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.6°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Apr 89°/68°F (31.8°/19.9°C) 88°/77°F (31.2°/24.8°C)
May 89°/70°F (31.6°/21.0°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Jun 90°/72°F (32.4°/22.4°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.6°C)
Jul 89°/74°F (31.8°/23.2°C) 84°/74°F (28.7°/23.1°C)
Aug 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.4°C) 83°/73°F (28.4°/23.0°C)
Sep 90°/74°F (32.1°/23.2°C) 84°/74°F (29.0°/23.1°C)
Oct 92°/75°F (33.5°/23.9°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C)
Nov 93°/71°F (34.0°/21.6°C) 86°/75°F (30.1°/24.0°C)
Dec 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.7°C) 85°/75°F (29.7°/24.1°C)

Data: Department of Water Resources Department of Water Resources, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Gambia and Sierra Leone. To live, work, or study long-term in Sierra Leone, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Sierra Leone's immigration authority.

Gambia passport

Gambia passport holder visiting Sierra Leone

Visa Free
Gambia passport holders can enter Sierra Leone without a visa.
Sierra Leone passport

Sierra Leone passport holder visiting Gambia

Visa Free
Sierra Leone passport holders can enter Gambia without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Sierra Leone?

Connectivity is usually fine (Sierra Leone: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Sierra Leone offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Sierra Leone safe for expats?

Sierra Leone performs significantly better than Gambia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Sierra Leone compared to Gambia?

Gambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sierra Leone leads in adult obesity rate. There are 0.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Sierra Leone, compared to 1.0 in Gambia. Sierra Leone scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Gambia: 46).

What's the weather like in Sierra Leone compared to Gambia?

The average high temperature in Freetown is 86°F, compared to 90°F in Banjul. Freetown receives around 116.0 in of rainfall per year, while Banjul gets 32.3 in.

What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?

Both Gambia and Sierra Leone share the same official language: English.

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At a Glance

GM SL
Population 2,413,403 8,692,606
Currency Gambian Dalasi (GMD) Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
Languages English English
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +220 +232
Time zones 1 1