By Mackie M. Jalloh
In a crucial move toward refining national development strategies, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has confirmed that Sierra Leone will conduct its next Population and Housing Census (PHC) from December 2 to 15, 2025. This comes after the finalization of Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2024, which was approved by Parliament in August 2024.
The 2025 Census will be instrumental in laying the groundwork for Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030). The president highlighted the value of accurate demographic data in shaping policies and addressing the country’s economic, social, and infrastructural needs. “The census results will be a critical asset for the nation’s development,” President Bio noted, emphasizing the census’s role in tracking progress toward both national goals and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Notably, this census continues a deep-rooted tradition of population data collection in Sierra Leone, with the first recorded census dating back to 1802. The 2025 Census will be the country’s seventh official census and will utilize advanced digital technologies to enhance the reliability and precision of data collection. Learning from the challenges and insights of the 2021 Mid-Term Census, the government is planning to employ Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) as a central tool for gathering information.
President Bio also acknowledged the vital support of international partners, such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United States Census Bureau through USAID, in providing financial, technical, and logistical assistance. With these partnerships, he reassured the nation that the government is committed to ensuring a successful census that will reflect an accurate portrait of the population’s needs.
Statistics Sierra Leone, the agency responsible for conducting the census, has been gearing up to lead the process. The agency, with support from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, aims to ensure smooth operations when the census kicks off, starting with Census Night on December 1, 2025.
The forthcoming 2025 Census will serve as a cornerstone for Sierra Leone’s development plans, providing comprehensive data to guide economic, housing, and social service policies. With a vision of informed growth and progress, President Bio concluded his address by expressing confidence in the census’s role in driving the country forward.
