In a significant announcement for national development, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio stated that Sierra Leone will conduct a comprehensive Population and Housing Census (PHC) in December 2025.
This proclamation follows the successful laying of Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2024 in Parliament on August 8, 2024, which took effect after 21 days. During his presidential address, President Bio emphasized the significance of the upcoming census, pointing out that it corresponds to the country’s decennial census calendar. He said, “I am pleased to announce that my government will conduct a national Population and Housing Census in 2025.”
This census is expected to have a significant impact on various development programs, including the 2024-2030 Medium Term National Development Plan and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The President recalled his previous address on November 27, 2021, when he announced the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census. He stated that one of the primary goals of the midterm census was to lay the groundwork for the upcoming decennial census. The data collected in 2025 will provide a reliable baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of critical development interventions and tracking progress toward national and global development goals. President Bio cited Sierra Leone’s historical commitment to censuses, reminding the nation of the significant milestones that have marked the country’s demographic assessments since the first census in 1802. He mentioned that modern censuses were conducted in 1963, 1974, 1985, 2004, and 2015, and expressed pride in carrying on this legacy with the 2025 census.
To improve data collection efficiency, the government intends to use Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) for the 2025 PHC, following the success of the 2021 mid-term census. This modern approach seeks to streamline the process while ensuring accurate and timely data collection. President Bio assured citizens that his government would provide significant financial and logistical support for the census. He announced partnerships with prestigious organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United States Census Bureau via USAID. These collaborations are expected to increase the efforts and resources needed for a successful national census. In terms of preparedness, the President stated that the Minister of Planning and Economic Development had informed him of the census’s readiness status.
He confirmed that Statistics Sierra Leone will oversee and manage the 2025 Population and Housing Census, ensuring that it is conducted efficiently and effectively. The President officially declared the nationwide census period from December 2 to December 15, 2025, and December 1, 2025, Census Night. This designation comes at an important time for the country, as it prepares to collect critical demographic data that will inform future policies and development plans. President Bio thanked Sierra Leoneans for their cooperation and support in this important national endeavour. He concluded his address with a message of hope, saying, “I thank you, and may God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone.”
