Population in South Sudan
South Sudan: Population was 11.48 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population in South Sudan, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, population in South Sudan stood at 11.48 million people. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.2% on the previous year and up 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in South Sudan peaked at 11.48 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 2.49 million people, in 1950.
That places South Sudan 83rd out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.69 million people | 2.49 million people | 2.89 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.15 million people | 2.93 million people | 3.37 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.79 million people | 3.41 million people | 4.23 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.70 million people | 4.34 million people | 4.96 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.20 million people | 4.74 million people | 5.77 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.51 million people | 6.03 million people | 9.24 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.59 million people | 9.75 million people | 11.24 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.02 million people | 10.70 million people | 11.48 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More population data for South Sudan
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.57 million people (2100)
- Population density 37.73 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.79 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 514,794 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.79 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.79 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.9% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.86 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in South Sudan?
- Population in South Sudan was 11.48 million people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 11.48 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.49 million people in 1950.
- How does South Sudan rank for population?
- South Sudan ranks 83rd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.