Share of population living in cities in South Sudan
South Sudan: Share of population living in cities was 31.8% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities in South Sudan, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in cities in South Sudan stood at 31.8%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 23.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities in South Sudan peaked at 31.8% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 1950.
That places South Sudan 133rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.9% | — |
| 1955 | 3.2% | +12.4% |
| 1960 | 3.6% | +12.4% |
| 1965 | 5.8% | +61.0% |
| 1970 | 8.4% | +43.1% |
| 1975 | 13.0% | +55.2% |
| 1980 | 14.1% | +8.8% |
| 1985 | 16.5% | +16.8% |
| 1990 | 18.8% | +14.2% |
| 1995 | 19.5% | +3.8% |
| 2000 | 20.9% | +6.8% |
| 2005 | 23.2% | +11.2% |
| 2010 | 25.8% | +11.1% |
| 2015 | 29.6% | +14.9% |
| 2020 | 31.8% | +7.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.1% | 2.9% | 3.2% | 2 |
| 1960s | 4.7% | 3.6% | 5.8% | 2 |
| 1970s | 10.7% | 8.4% | 13.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 15.3% | 14.1% | 16.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 19.2% | 18.8% | 19.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 22.0% | 20.9% | 23.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 27.7% | 25.8% | 29.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 31.8% | 31.8% | 31.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
- 130 Austria 32.6% compare
- 131 Sweden 32.0% compare
- 132 French Polynesia 31.9% compare
- 134 Switzerland 31.7% compare
- 135 Turkmenistan 31.4% compare
- 136 Guatemala 31.1% compare
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 share of population living in cities in South Sudan?
- Share of population living in cities in South Sudan was 31.8% 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 cities recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 31.8% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 1950.
- How does South Sudan rank for share of population living in cities?
- South Sudan ranks 133rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.