230. The Republic. of Sierra Leone, on the north-west African coast has a land areaot 271925 sguare miles. Its population was 2.75 million as of the last census conducted in 1973, and is currently estimated at between 3.2 and 3.5 million with a growth rate of 2.0 to 2.3 per cent per annum, the next census is due to be /...1.3 2.7 1.2 ll .8t.3 1.3 0.3 1.5 2L.4A/40/44r Engl i sh Page 81 conducted in December 1985. The country is favourably endowed with natural resources - agricultural, mineral and water - and has the potentiat to achieveself-sustaining growth. In recent years, however, it has experienced serious economic and financial difficulties, owing in part to the adverse impact of the slow-down in global economic activity and in part to structural imbalances in its economy. Sierra Leone is classified by the United Nations as a least developed country. B. Economic situation t* 23I. Agriculture, which contributes 30 per cent or more of the gross domesticproduct (GDP), is the principal source of livelihood for about 70 per cent of thepopulation and the largest sector in the economy. Mining, trade, transport and communications and public services are the other sectors which contributel0 per cent or more to the GDP. The industrial sector is very smallt manufacturing and handicrafts together contribute less than 5 per cent of the GDP. The manufacturing subsector consists of medium-to-smalI enterprises producing import-substitution goods which have, however, a high import content. Industriesprocessing local agricultural. or other raw materials are underdeveloped. Dependence on external trade is indicated by the large proportion of external tradein relation to GDP (49 per cent in f9S0/8I) and of the large share of taxes andduties on international trade (over 50 per cent durinq I979l80) in the total revenues of the Government. Urban consumption has a high import content.
**Analysis**
The text appears to focus on the economic situation of Sierra Leone, including its natural resources, agricultural sector, industrial sector, and international trade. It also touches on the country's population growth and economic difficulties. This suggests that the text is primarily concerned with economic development, but also touches on other areas such as natural resources and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade