Literacy rate: 36%

Numbers in tertiary education: 8795 students

Freetown has a long tradition of education, and its university, Fourahbay College, became affiliated with Durham University in the UK in 1876. In recent times, its students have often been active in political dissent. Educational provision has inevitably deteriorated over the past decade.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004