By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has released its Provisional Annual Report on Vital Events for the year ending 31st December 2025, offering a comprehensive statistical snapshot of population dynamics in Sierra Leone based on officially registered births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions.
The report, published in accordance with Section 26(1) of the National Civil Registration Act, 2016, underscores the Authority’s statutory responsibility to collect, compile and publish vital statistics on the population of Sierra Leone. These statistics serve as a critical foundation for national planning, public service delivery, health interventions, social protection programmes and evidence-based policymaking .
Over 306,000 Live Births Recorded Nationwide
According to the provisional data, a total of 306,057 live births were recorded across the country during the 2025 reporting period. Of this figure, 149,968 births (49 percent) were males, while 156,089 births (51 percent) were females, producing a sex ratio of 96 males to every 100 females. The figures reflect continued progress in birth registration coverage and public compliance with civil registration requirements .
The report also recorded 3,739 stillbirths nationwide in 2025. While the data remains provisional, the NCRA noted that the accurate documentation of stillbirths is essential for understanding maternal and child health outcomes, improving healthcare planning, and supporting targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths .
Mortality Data Highlights Vulnerable Age Groups
On mortality, the Authority reported 17,905 registered deaths during the year under review. The gender distribution shows that 10,280 deaths (57 percent) were males, compared to 7,625 deaths (43 percent) among females.
Age-disaggregated data reveals that the highest proportion of deaths occurred among persons aged 60 years and above, accounting for 5,652 deaths (32 percent). This was followed by deaths among children aged 0–4 years, with 2,697 cases (15 percent) recorded. The figures highlight persistent vulnerabilities at both ends of the age spectrum and reinforce the importance of strengthening healthcare services for the elderly while sustaining investments in maternal, neonatal and child health programmes .
Marriage Registration Trends Across Faiths and Traditions
The provisional report shows that 755 marriages were officially registered with the Authority in 2025. A breakdown by marriage type indicates that Christian marriages accounted for the majority, with 408 registrations (54 percent). This was followed by 174 Islamic marriages (23 percent), 128 civil marriages (17 percent), and 45 customary marriages (6 percent).
The NCRA noted that the diversity of marriage types reflects Sierra Leone’s rich cultural and religious heritage, while also emphasizing the importance of registering all forms of marriage to ensure legal recognition, protect spousal rights, and support access to social services and inheritance claims .
Divorce Figures Remain Relatively Low
In contrast to marriage registrations, the Authority recorded 60 divorces nationwide during the period under review. Of these, civil marriages accounted for the largest share, with 21 cases (35 percent). Christian marriages and Islamic marriages each accounted for 18 cases (30 percent each), while customary marriages recorded 3 divorces (5 percent).
The relatively low number of registered divorces, according to the NCRA, may reflect a combination of social norms, cultural values, and possible underreporting, reinforcing the need for continued public sensitization on the importance of registering all vital life events .
Adoption Data Shows Higher Female Representation
The report further documents 160 adoption cases registered across Sierra Leone in 2025. Of this total, 99 adoptees (62 percent) were females, while 61 adoptees (38 percent) were males.
Age analysis shows that children aged 13–17 years constituted the largest share, with 62 cases (39 percent). This was followed by children aged 5–12 years, accounting for 60 cases (37 percent), while 38 cases (24 percent) involved children aged 0–4 years. The data provides important insights for child protection agencies, social welfare services and policymakers working to improve adoption systems and child care frameworks nationwide .
Strengthening Civil Registration for National Development
In its conclusion, the NCRA emphasized that the provisional report covers the period January to December 2025 and expressed appreciation to government institutions, local councils, development partners and other stakeholders for their continued support in the recording of vital events.
The Authority strongly encouraged the general public—including citizens and foreign residents—to promptly register births (live or still), deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions and nullities whenever they occur. According to the NCRA, comprehensive and timely registration is essential for maintaining accurate population records, improving national statistics, and supporting effective governance and development planning in Sierra Leone .
The report was officially signed by Mohamed M. Massaquoi, Director General of the NCRA, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to strengthening the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system as a cornerstone of inclusive development, legal identity, and social protection in Sierra Leone.
As the data remains provisional, the NCRA noted that the figures are subject to further validation and updates. However, the report already provides a valuable evidence base for government institutions, researchers, development partners and civil society actors working to address population trends, improve service delivery and advance national development priorities.
