Freetown, 31st December, 2025– The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has released its Provisional Annual Report on Vital Events for 2025, offering a snapshot of Sierra Leone’s population dynamics through births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and adoptions.
A total of 306,057 live births were recorded nationwide in 2025, with 149,968 males (49%) and 156,089 females (51%), giving a sex ratio of 96 boys for every 100 girls. Alongside these, the Authority documented 3,739 stillbirths, underscoring ongoing maternal and child health challenges.
The year saw 17,905 deaths, split between 10,280 males (57%) and 7,625 females (43%). The largest share of deaths occurred among the elderly, with 5,652 (32%) aged 60 and above. Alarmingly, children aged 0–4 years accounted for 2,697 deaths (15%), highlighting persistent child mortality concerns.
Marriage registrations totalled 755, with Christian unions leading at 408 (54%), followed by Islamic marriages at 174 (23%), civil marriages at 128 (17%), and customary marriages at 45 (6%). Divorces were comparatively low, with 60 cases recorded. Civil marriages accounted for the highest share at 21 (35%), while Christian and Islamic divorces each stood at 18 (30%), and customary divorces at 3 (5%).
The Authority registered 160 adoption cases. Of these, 61 males (38%) and 99 females (62%) were adopted. The majority of cases involved older children: 62 (39%) aged 13–17 years, followed by 60 (37%) aged 5–12 years, and 38 (24%) aged 0–4 years.
The figures paint a complex picture of Sierra Leone’s demographic trends. While births remain high, child mortality continues to weigh heavily on families. Marriage registrations show a strong preference for Christian unions, while divorce rates remain relatively modest. Adoption data suggest that older children are more frequently placed in new homes, raising questions about support systems for vulnerable youth.
