Freetown, Sierra Leone – 20 June 2025 – More than half of Sierra Leoneans believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, according to the latest Afrobarometer report, reflecting widespread public concern over economic hardship and government performance on key issues.
The report reveals that 58% of Sierra Leoneans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. While this represents a slight improvement from 67% in 2022, it still points to deep dissatisfaction with the state of affairs.
The nationally representative survey, conducted in March and April 2025 by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), found that while the public commends the government on issues like education, health, and security, concerns remain high over unemployment, poverty, inequality, and corruption.
“The findings show a population that feels the weight of economic strain and inequality, even as they acknowledge progress in some sectors,” said an analyst from IGR.
Key Concerns
Approval ratings for government performance in social services are relatively high:
* 72% of citizens approve of conflict prevention and resolution efforts.
* 69% are satisfied with the handling of education.
* 64% say the government is addressing crime effectively.
* 53% approve of health care improvements.
However, there is overwhelming dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of economic issues:
* Only 22% approve of efforts to create jobs.
* Just 24% think the government is improving living standards for the poor.
* A mere 14% approve of efforts to reduce the gap between rich and poor.
* Only 24% are satisfied with the reliability of electricity supply.
Corruption Remains a Stubborn Challenge
The police continue to be viewed as the most corrupt institution in the country, with 73% of respondents saying “most” or “all” police officers are corrupt.
Other institutions also rank poorly:
* 51% believe most business executives are corrupt.
* 49% say the same about Members of Parliament and tax officials.
Furthermore, public trust in anti-corruption mechanisms appears low. Only 30% of citizens believe people can report corruption without fear of retaliation — a drop from 34% in 2022. A staggering 69% say whistleblowers risk negative consequences.
“The fear of retaliation silences many victims of corruption, weakening the fight against it,” noted a governance expert.
Economic Performance: A Mixed Record
While there is some improvement in the public’s perception of the government’s efforts to control inflation, other key economic indicators have declined since 2022. Approval for poverty reduction and job creation efforts has dipped, and many citizens continue to struggle with daily economic challenges.
About the Survey
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys across the continent. The 2025 Sierra Leone survey interviewed 1,200 adults using face-to-face interviews in local languages. The margin of error is +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
This year’s findings continue a data series that has tracked public opinion in Sierra Leone since 2012.
As the country moves toward its next major policy cycles, the message from its citizens is clear: progress is visible, but uneven — and more must be done to address economic hardship and restore public trust in institutions.
