South Sudan Population: 11,148,887

South Sudan gained independence from the Republic of Sudan in the year 2011. The country is located in East-Central, Africa. South Sudan is a landlocked country with a total area of 610,952 square kilometers. The 10 states of South Sudan come under four provinces, which are Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Upper Nile, Equatoria, and Special Administrative Area.

Largest cities in South Sudan by population 

Juba has the highest population in South Sudan. Other cities which rank high in terms of population are Winejok, Malakal, and Wau.

CITY NAME POPULATION
Juba 450,000
Winejok 300,000
Malakal 160,765
Wau 127,384
Pajok 49,000
Yei 40,382
Yambio 40,382
Aweil 38,745
Gogrial 38,572
Rumbek 32,083
Bor 26,782
Torit 20,048
Tonj 17,338

South Sudan Population History

The population of South Sudan in the year 2020 is 11,193,725. The population had increased significantly from 2,619,712 in the year 1955 when South Sudan was a part of the Republic of Sudan. The population growth rate had ranged between over 1% and more than 2% except in the decade between 2000 and 2010 when the growth rates increased to over 3% and 4%. The current share in the world population is 0.14%, up from 0.09% in 1955.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 11,193,725 1.19% 131,612 -174,200 19 4.74 18 24.60% 2,749,061 0.14% 7,794,798,739 84
2019 11,062,113 0.79% 86,186 -174,200 18.6 5.06 18 23.90% 2,639,257 0.14% 7,713,468,100 84
2018 10,975,927 0.60% 65,164 -174,200 18.6 5.06 18 23.10% 2,534,064 0.14% 7,631,091,040 84
2017 10,910,763 0.72% 78,245 -174,200 18.6 5.06 18 22.30% 2,432,887 0.14% 7,547,858,925 83
2016 10,832,518 1.09% 116,860 -174,200 18.6 5.06 18 21.60% 2,335,056 0.15% 7,464,022,049 83
2015 10,715,658 2.42% 241,459 -20,000 18.4 5.15 18 20.90% 2,240,020 0.15% 7,379,797,139 81
2010 9,508,364 4.76% 394,486 169,322 18 5.6 16 18.90% 1,797,991 0.14% 6,956,823,603 87
2005 7,535,932 3.98% 267,308 86,400 17.7 6 12 18.50% 1,391,012 0.12% 6,541,907,027 94
2000 6,199,394 3.91% 216,262 60,000 17.6 6.42 10 17.80% 1,105,850 0.10% 6,143,493,823 99
1995 5,118,083 -1.40% -74,908 -219,415 17.7 6.65 8 16.90% 866,570 0.09% 5,744,212,979 105
1990 5,492,623 1.02% 54,375 -83,247 17.8 6.83 9 13.90% 765,828 0.10% 5,327,231,061 95
1985 5,220,747 3.00% 143,629 30,000 17.8 6.78 9 10.30% 536,559 0.11% 4,870,921,740 94
1980 4,502,604 2.70% 112,197 12,000 17.8 6.92 7 8.90% 400,849 0.10% 4,458,003,514 101
1975 3,941,618 2.44% 89,523 5,000 18 6.9 6 9.00% 353,282 0.10% 4,079,480,606 102
1970 3,494,004 2.20% 72,171 0 18.6 6.85 6 9.00% 314,909 0.09% 3,700,437,046 103
1965 3,133,150 1.96% 58,085 0 19 6.75 5 9.10% 283,626 0.09% 3,339,583,597 102
1960 2,842,724 1.65% 44,602 0 19 6.7 5 9.10% 258,524 0.09% 3,034,949,748 102
1955 2,619,712 1.08% 27,482 0 18.9 6.65 4 9.10% 239,670 0.09% 2,773,019,936 102

South Sudan Population Forecast

The population of South Sudan is estimated to reach 19,962,712 in the year 2050. The growth rate is expected to remain between 1% and 2% from 2020 to 2050. The share of the country in the world population will increase to 0.21% in 2050. South Sudan is also expected to climb the global population ranking to 77 from the current rank of 84.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 11,193,725 0.88% 95,613 -174,200 19 4.74 18 24.60% 2,749,061 0.14% 7,794,798,739 84
2025 12,458,305 2.16% 252,916 -25,000 19.7 4.74 20 27.10% 3,378,254 0.15% 8,184,437,460 81
2030 13,839,272 2.12% 276,193 -15,000 20.5 4.74 23 30.10% 4,163,609 0.16% 8,548,487,400 79
2035 15,328,329 2.06% 297,811 -5,000 21.4 4.74 25 33.50% 5,136,964 0.17% 8,887,524,213 79
2040 16,856,415 1.92% 305,617 -5,000 22.4 4.74 28 37.30% 6,289,840 0.18% 9,198,847,240 79
2045 18,408,328 1.78% 310,383 -5,000 23.4 4.74 30 41.40% 7,619,840 0.19% 9,481,803,274 77
2050 19,962,712 1.63% 310,877 24.4 4.74 33 45.70% 9,131,580 0.21% 9,735,033,990 77

South Sudan Demographics

The major portion of the population comprises children aged 0-14 years, making up 41.3% of the population. 25-54 years of age group has a share of 30.9% in the population. Older people aged 65 and above are in the minority, with a share of just 3.4% in the population.

The sex ratio is 1.00. Males comprise 50.05% of the population, while females make up 49.95% of the population. Life expectancy for both sexes is 58.74 years.

South Sudan Religion and Politics

Roman Catholic Christians are present in the majority in South Sudan. Anglicans and Presbyterian Christians constitute the second-largest religious group in South Sudan. A small part of the population subscribes to traditional African beliefs and Animism.

South Sudan seceded from the Republic of Sudan on 9th July 2011. The country adopted a presidential system of government in which the president is the head of the state and the government and is also the chief of the armed forces.

South Sudan Economy

South Sudan is an underdeveloped country with a severe shortage of electricity, water, and other basic amenities. The infrastructure of the country is also in dire straits. The economy is mainly based on agriculture and the export of timber to international markets.

Largest Countries in the World by Population

S.No Country Population (2020) World Population Share (%)
1 China 1,439,323,776 18.47%
2 India 1,380,004,385 17.70%
3 United States 331,002,651 4.25%
4 Indonesia 273,523,615 3.51%
5 Pakistan 220,892,340 2.83%
6 Brazil 212,559,417 2.73%
7 Nigeria 206,139,589 2.64%
8 Bangladesh 164,689,383 2.11%
9 Russia 145,934,462 1.87%
10 Mexico 128,932,753 1.65%