Urban and rural population in South Sudan
South Sudan: Urban and rural population was 2.64 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2.64 million
Change on year
up 3.5%
World rank
129th
of 236 countries
All-time high
2.64 million
in 2025
All-time low
161,717
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in South Sudan, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population in South Sudan is 2.64 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 3.5% on the previous year and up 26.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in South Sudan peaked at 2.64 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 161,717, in 1950.
South Sudan ranks 129th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 161,717 | — |
| 1951 | 179,800 | +11.2% |
| 1952 | 198,645 | +10.5% |
| 1953 | 216,293 | +8.9% |
| 1954 | 229,447 | +6.1% |
| 1955 | 238,047 | +3.7% |
| 1956 | 241,509 | +1.5% |
| 1957 | 245,004 | +1.4% |
| 1958 | 248,076 | +1.3% |
| 1959 | 250,855 | +1.1% |
| 1960 | 253,877 | +1.2% |
| 1961 | 257,145 | +1.3% |
| 1962 | 260,660 | +1.4% |
| 1963 | 264,279 | +1.4% |
| 1964 | 268,698 | +1.7% |
| 1965 | 273,379 | +1.7% |
| 1966 | 276,953 | +1.3% |
| 1967 | 280,105 | +1.1% |
| 1968 | 283,520 | +1.2% |
| 1969 | 286,980 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 290,480 | +1.2% |
| 1971 | 295,285 | +1.7% |
| 1972 | 301,379 | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 308,437 | +2.3% |
| 1974 | 316,453 | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 324,691 | +2.6% |
| 1976 | 333,136 | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 341,744 | +2.6% |
| 1978 | 350,497 | +2.6% |
| 1979 | 359,377 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 368,395 | +2.5% |
| 1981 | 377,576 | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 386,948 | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 397,113 | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 414,877 | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 442,518 | +6.7% |
| 1986 | 478,722 | +8.2% |
| 1987 | 516,523 | +7.9% |
| 1988 | 540,586 | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 561,208 | +3.8% |
| 1990 | 598,449 | +6.6% |
| 1991 | 642,241 | +7.3% |
| 1992 | 677,597 | +5.5% |
| 1993 | 701,909 | +3.6% |
| 1994 | 732,883 | +4.4% |
| 1995 | 770,391 | +5.1% |
| 1996 | 804,896 | +4.5% |
| 1997 | 842,874 | +4.7% |
| 1998 | 874,606 | +3.8% |
| 1999 | 912,539 | +4.3% |
| 2000 | 967,748 | +6.1% |
| 2001 | 1.03 million | +6.0% |
| 2002 | 1.09 million | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 1.15 million | +5.7% |
| 2004 | 1.21 million | +5.7% |
| 2005 | 1.28 million | +5.6% |
| 2006 | 1.35 million | +5.6% |
| 2007 | 1.43 million | +5.5% |
| 2008 | 1.50 million | +5.3% |
| 2009 | 1.60 million | +6.5% |
| 2010 | 1.71 million | +6.9% |
| 2011 | 1.83 million | +7.0% |
| 2012 | 1.94 million | +6.0% |
| 2013 | 2.04 million | +5.3% |
| 2014 | 2.08 million | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 2.09 million | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 2.07 million | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 1.99 million | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 1.99 million | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 2.07 million | +4.4% |
| 2020 | 2.16 million | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 2.23 million | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 2.29 million | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 2.42 million | +5.7% |
| 2024 | 2.55 million | +5.5% |
| 2025 | 2.64 million | +3.5% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 2.64 million is below the median for low income countries, which is 6.96 million, 38% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 2.64 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.82 million, 55% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 220,939 | 161,717 | 250,855 | 10 |
| 1960s | 270,560 | 253,877 | 286,980 | 10 |
| 1970s | 322,148 | 290,480 | 359,377 | 10 |
| 1980s | 448,447 | 368,395 | 561,208 | 10 |
| 1990s | 755,838 | 598,449 | 912,539 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.26 million | 967,748 | 1.60 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.98 million | 1.71 million | 2.09 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.38 million | 2.16 million | 2.64 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
- 126 Panama 3.02 million compare
- 127 Slovakia 2.91 million compare
- 128 Tajikistan 2.82 million compare
- 130 Kyrgyzstan 2.53 million compare
- 131 Mongolia 2.50 million compare
- 132 Central African Republic 2.46 million 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)
- 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 urban and rural population in South Sudan?
- Urban and rural population in South Sudan was 2.64 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 2.64 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 161,717 in 1950.
- How does South Sudan rank for urban and rural population?
- South Sudan ranks 129th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.5%. 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 Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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