Population · Africa · 2025 data
South Sudan Population
South Sudan had a population of 12.19 million in 2025, ranking #80 of 216 countries and territories (0.15% of the world). The population grew by 9.7% over the past ten years.
Population of South Sudan, 1960–2025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,188,788 | +2.05% |
| 2024 | 11,943,408 | +4.01% |
| 2023 | 11,483,374 | +4.19% |
| 2022 | 11,021,177 | +1.43% |
| 2021 | 10,865,780 | +1.56% |
| 2020 | 10,698,467 | +2.64% |
| 2019 | 10,423,384 | +2.97% |
| 2018 | 10,122,977 | -1.33% |
| 2017 | 10,259,154 | -5.27% |
| 2016 | 10,830,102 | -2.50% |
| 2015 | 11,107,561 | -1.13% |
| 2014 | 11,235,073 | +0.62% |
| 2013 | 11,166,275 | +3.81% |
| 2012 | 10,756,240 | +4.55% |
| 2011 | 10,288,109 | +5.56% |
| 2010 | 9,745,953 | +5.44% |
| 2009 | 9,243,556 | +4.83% |
| 2008 | 8,817,647 | +5.11% |
| 2007 | 8,388,788 | +5.17% |
| 2006 | 7,976,526 | +5.09% |
| 2005 | 7,590,143 | +4.94% |
| 2004 | 7,233,041 | +4.78% |
| 2003 | 6,903,127 | +4.64% |
| 2002 | 6,596,806 | +4.57% |
| 2001 | 6,308,391 | +4.58% |
| 2000 | 6,032,267 | +4.52% |
| 1999 | 5,771,628 | +2.70% |
| 1998 | 5,620,068 | +2.01% |
| 1997 | 5,509,136 | +2.84% |
| 1996 | 5,356,925 | +2.51% |
| 1995 | 5,225,836 | +3.05% |
| 1994 | 5,071,184 | +2.32% |
| 1993 | 4,956,002 | +0.94% |
| 1992 | 4,909,749 | +1.51% |
| 1991 | 4,836,677 | +2.09% |
| 1990 | 4,737,633 | +0.52% |
| 1989 | 4,713,229 | -2.78% |
| 1988 | 4,848,029 | -2.30% |
| 1987 | 4,962,395 | +0.84% |
| 1986 | 4,921,240 | +1.80% |
| 1985 | 4,834,296 | +1.76% |
| 1984 | 4,750,627 | +1.91% |
| 1983 | 4,661,574 | +2.28% |
| 1982 | 4,557,686 | +2.48% |
| 1981 | 4,447,272 | +2.49% |
| 1980 | 4,339,030 | +2.51% |
| 1979 | 4,232,605 | +2.54% |
| 1978 | 4,127,657 | +2.58% |
| 1977 | 4,024,032 | +2.60% |
| 1976 | 3,921,910 | +2.63% |
| 1975 | 3,821,494 | +2.64% |
| 1974 | 3,723,259 | +2.64% |
| 1973 | 3,627,383 | +2.40% |
| 1972 | 3,542,497 | +2.13% |
| 1971 | 3,468,646 | +1.73% |
| 1970 | 3,409,614 | +1.31% |
| 1969 | 3,365,533 | +1.32% |
| 1968 | 3,321,528 | +1.34% |
| 1967 | 3,277,648 | +1.27% |
| 1966 | 3,236,423 | +1.46% |
| 1965 | 3,189,835 | +1.91% |
| 1964 | 3,129,918 | +1.86% |
| 1963 | 3,072,669 | +1.60% |
| 1962 | 3,024,308 | +1.60% |
| 1961 | 2,976,724 | +1.54% |
| 1960 | 2,931,559 | — |
Demographics of South Sudan
Ethnic groups
Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.)
Languages
English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk
Religions
Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 21.2% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
South Sudan and its neighbours
Frequently asked questions about the population of South Sudan
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Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).