AYV News, June 3, 2026
A nationwide hardship survey conducted by a team of researchers led by Arthur E. Pearce has painted a troubling picture of living conditions in Sierra Leone, with the vast majority of respondents reporting severe financial difficulties, rising food costs, and incomes that fail to meet basic household needs.
The report, titled “Surviving in Sierra Leone: A Comprehensive Hardship Survey & Market Analysis Report – May 2026,” combined responses from 1,000 participants with market basket data collected across seven regions. Its findings suggest that many households are struggling to cope with an increasingly difficult economic environment.
According to the survey, 81 percent of respondents described their financial situation as either “severe” or “extreme,” while nearly half reported experiencing extreme hardship. Researchers attribute the situation to escalating food prices, transport costs, rent, and stagnant wages.
The study found that more than half of respondents exhaust their salaries before payday or within one week of receiving them, while over 80 percent said their income is depleted within two weeks. Researchers argue that the findings point to a broader affordability crisis rather than simply poor household financial management.
Food emerged as the greatest challenge facing most families. More than half of respondents reported spending between Le200 and Le499 daily on personal meals, while most estimated that feeding a family of four requires at least Le300 per day, equivalent to approximately Le9,000 per month for food alone.
The report noted that Sierra Leone’s minimum wage of Le1,200 per month is insufficient to cover basic household food needs, with researchers concluding that many families face a widening gap between income and the cost of living.
A market basket analysis conducted in Freetown, Waterloo, Port Loko, Kenema, Makeni, Kono, and Bo revealed significant regional differences in food costs. Freetown recorded the highest daily family meal cost at Le272, while Port Loko was the least expensive at Le152 per day.
Beyond food, transport and housing were identified as major financial burdens. Many respondents cited transportation expenses as a significant drain on household income, while more than half reported spending at least Le10,000 annually on rent.
The survey also highlighted sharp increases in the prices of essential commodities since 2018. Dried fish, a key source of protein for many households, reportedly increased by 5,900 percent over the period, while potato leaves and pepper recorded increases of 2,900 percent and 1,300 percent respectively. Fuel and coal prices also rose substantially.
Researchers linked part of the cost-of-living pressure to the depreciation of the Leone, noting that the exchange rate has weakened significantly since 2018, increasing the cost of imported goods such as food, fuel, and other consumer products.
When asked what income would provide a decent standard of living, respondents identified a median monthly salary of Le6,000, while the average preferred salary exceeded Le9,500 per month.
The report concludes with a call for policy interventions, including a review of the minimum wage, measures to stabilize food prices, transport support for low-income earners, affordable housing initiatives, and expanded employment opportunities.
While the researchers acknowledged that the survey was conducted online and does not constitute a nationally representative statistical sample, they argued that the consistency of the responses reflects growing economic pressures facing many Sierra Leonean households.
The findings underscore mounting concerns over affordability and living standards, with the report warning that for many citizens, daily life is increasingly becoming a struggle for survival rather than economic advancement.
