Population in South Sudan
South Sudan: Population was 11.48 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
11.48 million people
Change on year
up 4.2%
World rank
83rd
of 236 countries
All-time high
11.48 million people
in 2023
All-time low
2.49 million people
in 1950
Years of data
74
1950–2023
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.
Population in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.49 million people | — |
| 1951 | 2.53 million people | +1.5% |
| 1952 | 2.57 million people | +1.6% |
| 1953 | 2.61 million people | +1.7% |
| 1954 | 2.66 million people | +1.7% |
| 1955 | 2.71 million people | +1.8% |
| 1956 | 2.75 million people | +1.8% |
| 1957 | 2.80 million people | +1.8% |
| 1958 | 2.85 million people | +1.6% |
| 1959 | 2.89 million people | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 2.93 million people | +1.5% |
| 1961 | 2.98 million people | +1.5% |
| 1962 | 3.02 million people | +1.6% |
| 1963 | 3.07 million people | +1.6% |
| 1964 | 3.13 million people | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 3.19 million people | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 3.24 million people | +1.5% |
| 1967 | 3.28 million people | +1.3% |
| 1968 | 3.32 million people | +1.3% |
| 1969 | 3.37 million people | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 3.41 million people | +1.3% |
| 1971 | 3.47 million people | +1.7% |
| 1972 | 3.54 million people | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 3.63 million people | +2.4% |
| 1974 | 3.72 million people | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 3.82 million people | +2.6% |
| 1976 | 3.92 million people | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 4.02 million people | +2.6% |
| 1978 | 4.13 million people | +2.6% |
| 1979 | 4.23 million people | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 4.34 million people | +2.5% |
| 1981 | 4.45 million people | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 4.56 million people | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 4.66 million people | +2.3% |
| 1984 | 4.75 million people | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 4.83 million people | +1.8% |
| 1986 | 4.92 million people | +1.8% |
| 1987 | 4.96 million people | +0.8% |
| 1988 | 4.85 million people | -2.3% |
| 1989 | 4.71 million people | -2.8% |
| 1990 | 4.74 million people | +0.5% |
| 1991 | 4.84 million people | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 4.91 million people | +1.5% |
| 1993 | 4.96 million people | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 5.07 million people | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 5.23 million people | +3.0% |
| 1996 | 5.36 million people | +2.5% |
| 1997 | 5.51 million people | +2.8% |
| 1998 | 5.62 million people | +2.0% |
| 1999 | 5.77 million people | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 6.03 million people | +4.5% |
| 2001 | 6.31 million people | +4.6% |
| 2002 | 6.60 million people | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 6.90 million people | +4.6% |
| 2004 | 7.23 million people | +4.8% |
| 2005 | 7.59 million people | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 7.98 million people | +5.1% |
| 2007 | 8.39 million people | +5.2% |
| 2008 | 8.82 million people | +5.1% |
| 2009 | 9.24 million people | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 9.75 million people | +5.4% |
| 2011 | 10.29 million people | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 10.76 million people | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 11.17 million people | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 11.24 million people | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 11.11 million people | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 10.83 million people | -2.5% |
| 2017 | 10.26 million people | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 10.12 million people | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 10.42 million people | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 10.70 million people | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 10.87 million people | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 11.02 million people | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 11.48 million people | +4.2% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 11.48 million people is below the median for low income countries, which is 23.03 million people, 50% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 11.48 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.26 million people, 81% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.4787 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0933 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 17,461 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.92 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5193 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Population density 37.73 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.57 million people (2100)
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.
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About this data
Total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.