Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan
South Sudan: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 2.39 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan, 2011–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan stood at 2.39 million.
That represents a change of up 4.2% on the previous year and up 206.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan peaked at 2.44 million in 2017 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2011.
South Sudan ranks 5th of 205 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 87,007 | — |
| 2013 | 114,468 | +31.6% |
| 2014 | 616,206 | +438.3% |
| 2015 | 778,722 | +26.4% |
| 2016 | 1.44 million | +84.5% |
| 2017 | 2.44 million | +69.8% |
| 2018 | 2.29 million | -6.3% |
| 2019 | 2.23 million | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 2.19 million | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 2.36 million | +7.9% |
| 2022 | 2.30 million | -2.9% |
| 2023 | 2.29 million | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 2.29 million | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 2.39 million | +4.2% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 2.39 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 14.5× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 2.39 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 187.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +438.3% | 114,468 | 616,206 |
| 2016 | +84.5% | 778,722 | 1.44 million |
| 2017 | +69.8% | 1.44 million | 2.44 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1.11 million | 0 | 2.44 million | 9 |
| 2020s | 2.30 million | 2.19 million | 2.39 million | 6 |
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)
- Population growth rate 0.026 (2100)
- Population density 37.73 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.57 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Sudan was 2.39 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 2.44 million in 2017.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2011.
- How does South Sudan rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- South Sudan ranks 5th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 206.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 15 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).