By Juliana E. P. Kabba
In a significant announcement, President Julius Maada Bio revealed that Sierra Leone will conduct its next Population and Housing Census from December 2nd to 15th, 2025. This marks a key milestone in the country’s development planning and data collection efforts.
The President’s declaration came during a televised address on September 9th, 2024, almost three years after the previous national census. He also designated December 1st, 2025, as “Census Night,” signifying the official commencement of the census process.
“The upcoming decennial census is crucial for shaping Sierra Leone’s development trajectory and ensuring equitable resource allocation,” President Bio stated. He emphasized that the data gathered will be instrumental in implementing the 2024–2030 Medium Term National Development Plan and achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This announcement follows the recent laying of a statutory instrument before Parliament, which was approved on August 29th, 2024. The statutory process mandates a 21-day review period before the official approval of the census.
Statistics Sierra Leone, the national agency responsible for data collection, will oversee the census. The organization is tasked with ensuring comprehensive supervision and management of the process.
The 2025 census aims to address the controversies surrounding the 2021 mid-term census, which faced criticism from opposition parties over procedural irregularities. President Bio has called for national unity and cooperation to ensure a smooth and widely accepted census process.
“I urge all citizens and stakeholders to support the forthcoming census,” President Bio urged, highlighting the importance of broad participation in obtaining accurate and useful data for national development.
The census is expected to provide essential baseline data on population dynamics, housing, and socio-economic factors. This information will be vital for assessing the impact of major development initiatives and guiding informed policy decisions to meet the needs of Sierra Leone’s citizens effectively.
