Sierra Leone’s nationwide population and housing census is now 31 days away, with the total budget for the exercise rising from US$37.9 million to over US$46 million, including a US$15 million contribution from the Government of Sierra Leone.
The disclosure was made during a high-level preparatory briefing by Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) in Freetown, as the country counts down to the December 2026 census.
According to Stats SL, the initial budget of US$37.9 million was revised upwards to over US$46 million due to inflation, expanded logistics, increased technology requirements, and the need for wider coverage to ensure a credible and inclusive census.
Of the total amount, the Government of Sierra Leone is contributing US$15 million, reaffirming its commitment to ownership and successful implementation of the national exercise. The remaining funds are being provided by development partners including the United Nations, World Bank, and other bilateral donors.
Speaking at Media Engagement, Head of Communications Mr Samuel Ansumana said all technical and logistical preparations are at an advanced stage, with recruitment and training of field staff, procurement of tablets and mapping of enumeration areas nearing completion.
“We are less than a month away from the census. The budget has increased from US$37.9 million to over US$46 million, with the Government providing US$15 million. We are ready to deliver a credible census that will provide accurate data for national development,” he said.
He noted that the 2026 census will be fully digital, using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), GIS mapping and real-time data transmission to improve accuracy, transparency and speed.
The census is critical for national planning, constituency delimitation, resource allocation, and monitoring of development indicators including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Stats SL appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to cooperate with enumerators and provide accurate information when the exercise commences, stressing that census data is confidential and protected by law.
Development partners commended the Government for its financial commitment and called for continued public support to ensure a successful census.
The last census was conducted in 2015, which put Sierra Leone’s population at 7.09 million.