Share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan
South Sudan: Share of population living in rural areas was 34.8% in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan is 34.8%, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan peaked at 86.2% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 34.8%, in 2020.
South Sudan ranks 77th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 86.2% | — |
| 1955 | 84.6% | -1.9% |
| 1960 | 82.8% | -2.1% |
| 1965 | 80.8% | -2.4% |
| 1970 | 78.9% | -2.4% |
| 1975 | 76.1% | -3.5% |
| 1980 | 73.3% | -3.7% |
| 1985 | 69.8% | -4.8% |
| 1990 | 67.4% | -3.4% |
| 1995 | 64.2% | -4.7% |
| 2000 | 59.9% | -6.7% |
| 2005 | 54.7% | -8.7% |
| 2010 | 47.1% | -13.9% |
| 2015 | 39.8% | -15.6% |
| 2020 | 34.8% | -12.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 85.4% | 84.6% | 86.2% | 2 |
| 1960s | 81.8% | 80.8% | 82.8% | 2 |
| 1970s | 77.5% | 76.1% | 78.9% | 2 |
| 1980s | 71.6% | 69.8% | 73.3% | 2 |
| 1990s | 65.8% | 64.2% | 67.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 57.3% | 54.7% | 59.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 43.4% | 39.8% | 47.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 34.8% | 34.8% | 34.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More population data for South Sudan
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0933 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- 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)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5193 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.92 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan?
- Share of population living in rural areas in South Sudan was 34.8% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 86.2% in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.8% in 2020.
- How does South Sudan rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- South Sudan ranks 77th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in rural areas. Rural areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.