Quick facts
South Sudan population overview
South Sudan is the 32nd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 12,311,424 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 681 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 361,956 births (29.4 per 1,000 people) and 121,883 deaths (9.9 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 7,387 people. The infant mortality rate is 62.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,931,559 in 1960 to 12,188,788 in 2025 — a change of +315.8%, or +2.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19 years; life expectancy at birth is 58 years; women have on average 3.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 38% of residents are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older (2025); 21.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Juba. South Sudan covers 646,883 km², giving a population density of about 19.3 people per km². GDP was $12.00B in 2015 — about $1,080 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
South Sudan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 12,509,748 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 12,311,424 |
| World rank | #81 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #32 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +2% |
| Births per year est. | 361,956 |
| Deaths per year est. | 121,883 |
| Net migration per year est. | +7,387 |
| Birth rate | 29.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 62.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19 years |
| Life expectancy | 58 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 21.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 646,883 km² |
| Population density | 19.3 per km² |
| Capital | Juba |
| GDP (current US$) 2015 | $12.00B |
| GDP per capita 2015 | $1,080 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
South Sudan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 12,509,748 | – | – |
| 2025 | 12,188,788 | +245,380 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 11,943,408 | +460,034 | +4% |
| 2023 | 11,483,374 | +462,197 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | 11,021,177 | +155,397 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 10,865,780 | +167,313 | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 10,698,467 | -409,094 | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 11,107,561 | +1,361,608 | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 9,745,953 | +2,155,810 | +5.1% |
| 2005 | 7,590,143 | +1,557,876 | +4.7% |
| 2000 | 6,032,267 | +806,431 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 5,225,836 | +488,203 | +2% |
| 1990 | 4,737,633 | -96,663 | -0.4% |
| 1985 | 4,834,296 | +495,266 | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 4,339,030 | +517,536 | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 3,821,494 | +411,880 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 3,409,614 | +219,779 | +1.3% |
| 1965 | 3,189,835 | +258,276 | +1.7% |
| 1960 | 2,931,559 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About South Sudan
Population over time
- From 2,931,559 in 1960 to 12,509,748 today — up 326.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.9% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 57.7 years (2024), up 29.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 29.2 births vs 9.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 19.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 38% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 68.66 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 15.8% since 2012.
- Renewables supplied 32.4% of final energy in 2021 (+1.8 points since 2012).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.3% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 2012 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 21.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 8.7% in 1960 (+13 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 2.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,359 m³ in 2022, down 2.4% since 2012.
Economy
- GDP: $12.00B in 2015.
- That works out to $1,080 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 12.4% of the labor force (2023, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 91.4% in 2024 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 6.7% of people used the internet in 2019.
- Mobile subscriptions: 46.6 per 100 people (2023).
South Sudan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of South Sudan in 2026?
As of October 2026, South Sudan has an estimated population of 12,509,748. The United Nations estimated 12,311,424 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of South Sudan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2% per year — roughly 681 more people every day. Each year there are about 361,956 births and 121,883 deaths, with net migration of +7,387.
What is the population density of South Sudan?
About 19.3 people per square kilometre: 12,509,748 people living on 646,883 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in South Sudan?
The median age is 19 years, and life expectancy at birth is 58 years. 38% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does South Sudan rank by population?
South Sudan is the 81st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 32nd in Africa, with 0.2% of the global population.
How has the population of South Sudan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,931,559; by 2025 it had grown to 12,188,788 (+315.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BelgiumSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.