The Government of Sierra Leone has officially postponed its Decennial Population and Housing Census, originally scheduled for December 2025, to December 2026. The announcement was made by Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) following recommendations from a Census Assessment Mission that included experts from the U.S. Census Bureau, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The decision came after a two-day consultation on March 13–14, 2025, at the New Brookfield Hotel in Freetown, where Stats SL officials reviewed the challenges surrounding the census preparation. Deputy Statistician General, Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, emphasized that the census is a complex and costly national exercise that requires careful planning to ensure accuracy, public trust, and international credibility. He stated that the success, acceptance, and usefulness of the census depend on a timely and inclusive approach.
Census data plays a crucial role in shaping national and international development strategies, including Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the African Union’s Agenda 2030. With more time, the government aims to improve logistical planning, data collection methods, and overall execution to ensure a more comprehensive and reliable population count.
Stats SL confirmed that the 2026 census will incorporate Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) to enhance data accuracy and efficiency. This technology-driven approach aligns with international best practices, reducing errors and improving data collection speed.
Despite the initial 2024 announcement by President Julius Maada Bio that the census would occur in December 2025, international experts advised the postponement to allow adequate preparation time. The Census Advisory and Technical Committees have expressed support for the delay, praising Stats SL for its transparency and commitment to credibility. The government, along with international development partners, has pledged to allocate the necessary financial and logistical resources to ensure the success of the 2026 census.
As Sierra
Leone moves forward with its census plans, officials remain confident that the
additional time will lead to a more accurate and effective population count.
The census is expected to provide vital data that will inform policy decisions,
resource allocation, and development strategies for the coming decade.