Over 306,000 Births Recorded in 2025 as NCRA Releases Key Population Data

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has released its Provisional Annual Report on Vital Events for the year ending 31st December 2025, revealing that 306,057 live births were recorded across Sierra Leone during the period under review. The report, produced in accordance with Section 26(1) of the National Civil Registration Act, 2016, provides a comprehensive overview of officially registered births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and adoptions nationwide.

According to the report, live births comprised 149,968 males (49 percent) and 156,089 females (51 percent), resulting in a sex ratio of 96. In addition to live births, the Authority recorded 3,739 still births in 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in maternal and child health outcomes.

On mortality, the NCRA documented a total of 17,905 deaths, with 10,280 males (57 percent) and 7,625 females (43 percent). The data shows that deaths were most prevalent among persons aged 60 years and above, accounting for 5,652 cases (32 percent). This was followed by deaths among children aged 0–4 years, which stood at 2,697 cases (15 percent).

Marriage registration figures indicate that 755 marriages were recorded by the Authority in 2025. Of this number, Christian marriages accounted for 408 (54 percent), Islamic marriages 174 (23 percent), Civil marriages 128 (17 percent), and Customary marriages 45 (6 percent). During the same period, 60 divorces were registered, with Civil marriages recording the highest share at 21 cases (35 percent). Christian and Islamic marriages each accounted for 18 divorces (30 percent respectively), while Customary marriages recorded 3 cases (5 percent).

The report further shows that 160 adoption cases were registered nationwide in 2025. Of these, 61 cases (38 percent) involved males, while 99 cases (62 percent) involved females. A breakdown by age reveals that 62 cases (39 percent) were within the 13–17 years age group, followed by 60 cases (37 percent) among children aged 5–12 years, and 38 cases (24 percent) among children aged 0–4 years.

In its conclusion, the NCRA noted that the report covers the period January to December 2025 and reflects only events formally registered with the Authority. While appreciating the support of partner institutions and organizations, the Authority called on the general public, including citizens and foreign residents, to ensure the timely registration of births (live or still), deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, and nullities as they occur, to support accurate population records and evidence-based national planning.

The National Civil Registration Authority was established under the National Civil Registration Act, 2016, as a centralized body mandated to register and certify vital events in Sierra Leone. Its creation marked a major reform in the country’s civil registration system, aimed at addressing gaps in data reliability and ensuring that government decisions are informed by accurate and up-to-date vital statistics.

Since its establishment, the NCRA has worked to expand civil registration services nationwide, improve data management systems, and strengthen collaboration with health facilities, local councils, and community structures. Through these efforts, the Authority continues to play a critical role in identity management, public health planning, child protection, and national development by ensuring that every life event counts and is properly recorded.