Fellow Sierra Leoneans
1. On 8th August 2024, Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2024, regarding the conduct of a nationwide Population and Housing Census was successfully laid in Parliament. On 29th August 2024, this Statutory Instrument became effective following twenty-one (21) days from its laying.
2. Therefore, in line with the decennial Census calendar, I am pleased to announce that my government will conduct a nationwide Population and Housing Census (PHC) in 2025.
Fellow citizens,
3. You may recall that on the 27th November 2021, during my address to the nation regarding the launch of the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census, I mentioned that one of the key reasons for conducting the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census was to prepare for the decennial Census.
4. The data from this decennial Census in 2025 will guide the implementation of various development programmes, primarily the 2024 – 2030 Medium Term National Development Plan and our efforts to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals. This Census will provide reliable baseline data to assess the impact of critical development interventions on both these guiding instruments with a contemporary deadline of 2030.
5. Through statistical insights derived from this Census, we will track our progress and identify challenges crucial to our national development agenda.
6. Sierra Leone has a long history of conducting Censuses, dating back to the earliest Census in 1802 and followed by modern-day Censuses in 1963, 1974, 1985, 2004, and 2015. With the upcoming decennial Census scheduled for 2025, we will continue this legacy.
7. Building on the success of the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census, we will leverage Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) for the 2025 Population and Housing Census.
8. My government will commit considerable financial and logistical resources to support this 2025 Population and Housing Census. We will collaborate with our esteemed partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United States Census Bureau through USAID, and others, to ensure the success of this important national endeavour.
Fellow citizens,
9. I have been advised by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development on the state of preparedness for the 2025 Population and Housing Census. In accordance with its functions, Statistics Sierra Leone shall have the general supervision and management in the conduct of the 2025 Population and Housing Census.
10. At this juncture, by the order made by the Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2024, I now direct that a Population and Housing Census of all inhabitants of Sierra Leone be conducted from the 2nd to 15th December 2025.
11. Therefore, I declare the night of 1st December 2025 as Census Night and the 2nd December 2025 as the date for the commencement of a nationwide 2025 Population and Housing Census for Sierra Leone.
12. I thank you, and may God Bless the Republic of Sierra Leone.
