The Government Wage Bill is projected to increase to NLe7.6 billion (3.9 percent of GDP) in 2025 from NLe6.5 billion (3.9 percent of GDP) in 2024. The increase in the nominal wage bill covers the following:

i. Government’s commitment to a 45 percent increase in salaries for teachers which started in 2023 remains intact. Teachers will, therefore, receive the third and final tranche of 15 percent increase in January 2025. Government will also recruit 2,000 additional teachers and reassess and promote 3,043 teachers, effective September 2025.

ii. Recruitment of 3,000 health workers effective July 2025 and a 15 percent salary increase for health workers effective April 2025.

iii. Recruitment of additional 1,000 civil servants.

iv. Award a 30 percent salary increase effective April 2025 for civil servants in Grades 8 to 14 who had not received any pay raise since 2018.

v. Recruitment of 500 staff by tertiary educational institutions effective September 2025 as follows: Universities 300, Colleges -100 and Technical and Voca Institutions -100 staff. A 15 percent salary increase is awarded to staff of tertiary education institutions effective April 2025.

vi. Recruitment of 600 military personnel effective July 2025. The military will awarded a 15 percent salary increase effective April 2025. In addition, 500 military health workers will be recruited effective March 2025. All military health workers will be awarded a 15 percent salary increase effective April 2025, as in the case of the other health workers.

vii. Recruitment of 1,000 new employees for the Sierra Leone Police effective July 2025. A 15 percent salary increase will be awarded to the Sierra Police effective April 2025.

viii. Recruitment of 1,000 new employees by the Sierra Leone Correctional services, effective July 2025. A 15 percent salary increase will be awarde Sierra Leone Correctional Services effective April 2025.

ix. Recruitment of 200 new employees by the National Fire Force effective 2025. A 15 percent salary increase will be awarded to the National Fire Force effective April 2025.

x. A cost of living adjustment of 5 percent is made for Foreign Missions and for the Judiciary effective April 2025.

xi. Government pensioners will receive a 25 percent increase in their pensions effective April 2025. This is limited to Government employees who retired before the establishment of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and Political Pensioners.

xii. Core staff of Local Councils are awarded a 30 percent salary increase effective April 2025; and xiii. Limit the recruitment of consultants to 50 personnel in FY2025.