Moving to Sierra Leone from United Kingdom

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from United Kingdom to Sierra Leone. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Freetown averages 86°F vs 60°F in London, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Sierra Leone

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Living there in 2020
141 ↓ 16% vs 2015

people born in United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

GB
1.0
SL
2.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
2.4
SL
13.8

United Kingdom performs better than Sierra Leone across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GB
$6,606
SL
$159
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GB
31.7
SL
0.4

Sierra Leone generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GB
13.0
SL
97.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GB
4.2t
SL
0.2t

United Kingdom generally does better on environment, though Sierra Leone leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GB
41.4
SL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GB
14.3%
SL
0.5%

United Kingdom 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

GB
4.1%
SL
3.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GB
$54,100
SL
$1,700

United Kingdom 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

GB
81.9 yrs
SL
58.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GB
3.8
SL
73.4

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

Data: HM Revenue & Customs, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months London Freetown
Jan–Mar 49°/38°F (9°/3°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/48°F (18°/9°C) 87°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/56°F (22°/13°C) 84°/74°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 53°/43°F (12°/6°C) 86°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month London Freetown
Jan 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C) 86°/75°F (29.9°/23.8°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C) 87°/75°F (30.3°/24.0°C)
Mar 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Apr 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C) 88°/77°F (31.2°/24.8°C)
May 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Jun 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.6°C)
Jul 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C) 84°/74°F (28.7°/23.1°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C) 83°/73°F (28.4°/23.0°C)
Sep 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C) 84°/74°F (29.0°/23.1°C)
Oct 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C)
Nov 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C) 86°/75°F (30.1°/24.0°C)
Dec 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C) 85°/75°F (29.7°/24.1°C)

Data: Met Office Met Office, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Kingdom 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.

United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Sierra Leone

Visa on Arrival
United Kingdom passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone passport

Sierra Leone passport holder visiting United Kingdom

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Sierra Leone passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to United Kingdom.

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?

United Kingdom performs better than Sierra Leone across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sierra Leone is 2.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in United Kingdom.

How is healthcare in Sierra Leone compared to United Kingdom?

Sierra Leone generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 0.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Sierra Leone, compared to 31.7 in United Kingdom. Sierra Leone scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Kingdom: 88).

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

The average high temperature in Freetown is 86°F, compared to 60°F in London. Freetown receives around 116.0 in of rainfall per year, while London gets 22.0 in.

What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?

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

Share this

At a Glance

GB SL
Population 67,791,400 8,692,606
Currency British Pound Sterling (£) Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
Languages English English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +44 +232
Time zones 9 1
Emergency number 999