South Sudan Population: How Many People Live in South Sudan?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of South Sudan? The current South Sudan population is 11 943 408 people in 2024. South Sudan has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 2 931 559 people in 1960, the population has grown to 11 943 408 in 2023, representing a growth of 9 011 849 people (+307.4%).
The country reached its peak population of 11 943 408 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into South Sudan's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of South Sudan (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes South Sudan's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in South Sudan.
📊 South Sudan Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 931 559 | |
| 1970 | 3 409 614 | +478 055 (+16.3%) |
| 1980 | 4 339 030 | +929 416 (+27.3%) |
| 1990 | 4 737 633 | +398 603 (+9.2%) |
| 2000 | 6 032 267 | +1 294 634 (+27.3%) |
| 2010 | 9 745 953 | +3 713 686 (+61.6%) |
| 2020 | 10 698 467 | +952 514 (+9.8%) |
| 2024 | 11 943 408 | +1 244 941 (+11.6%) |
This table presents South Sudan's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of South Sudan without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of South Sudan (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 931 559 | |
| 1961 | 2 976 724 | +45 165 |
| 1962 | 3 024 308 | +47 584 |
| 1963 | 3 072 669 | +48 361 |
| 1964 | 3 129 918 | +57 249 |
| 1965 | 3 189 835 | +59 917 |
| 1966 | 3 236 423 | +46 588 |
| 1967 | 3 277 648 | +41 225 |
| 1968 | 3 321 528 | +43 880 |
| 1969 | 3 365 533 | +44 005 |
| 1970 | 3 409 614 | +44 081 |
| 1971 | 3 468 646 | +59 032 |
| 1972 | 3 542 497 | +73 851 |
| 1973 | 3 627 383 | +84 886 |
| 1974 | 3 723 259 | +95 876 |
| 1975 | 3 821 494 | +98 235 |
| 1976 | 3 921 910 | +100 416 |
| 1977 | 4 024 032 | +102 122 |
| 1978 | 4 127 657 | +103 625 |
| 1979 | 4 232 605 | +104 948 |
| 1980 | 4 339 030 | +106 425 |
| 1981 | 4 447 272 | +108 242 |
| 1982 | 4 557 686 | +110 414 |
| 1983 | 4 661 574 | +103 888 |
| 1984 | 4 750 627 | +89 053 |
| 1985 | 4 834 296 | +83 669 |
| 1986 | 4 921 240 | +86 944 |
| 1987 | 4 962 395 | +41 155 |
| 1988 | 4 848 029 | -114 366 |
| 1989 | 4 713 229 | -134 800 |
| 1990 | 4 737 633 | +24 404 |
| 1991 | 4 836 677 | +99 044 |
| 1992 | 4 909 749 | +73 072 |
| 1993 | 4 956 002 | +46 253 |
| 1994 | 5 071 184 | +115 182 |
| 1995 | 5 225 836 | +154 652 |
| 1996 | 5 356 925 | +131 089 |
| 1997 | 5 509 136 | +152 211 |
| 1998 | 5 620 068 | +110 932 |
| 1999 | 5 771 628 | +151 560 |
| 2000 | 6 032 267 | +260 639 |
| 2001 | 6 308 391 | +276 124 |
| 2002 | 6 596 806 | +288 415 |
| 2003 | 6 903 127 | +306 321 |
| 2004 | 7 233 041 | +329 914 |
| 2005 | 7 590 143 | +357 102 |
| 2006 | 7 976 526 | +386 383 |
| 2007 | 8 388 788 | +412 262 |
| 2008 | 8 817 647 | +428 859 |
| 2009 | 9 243 556 | +425 909 |
| 2010 | 9 745 953 | +502 397 |
| 2011 | 10 288 109 | +542 156 |
| 2012 | 10 756 240 | +468 131 |
| 2013 | 11 166 275 | +410 035 |
| 2014 | 11 235 073 | +68 798 |
| 2015 | 11 107 561 | -127 512 |
| 2016 | 10 830 102 | -277 459 |
| 2017 | 10 259 154 | -570 948 |
| 2018 | 10 122 977 | -136 177 |
| 2019 | 10 423 384 | +300 407 |
| 2020 | 10 698 467 | +275 083 |
| 2021 | 10 865 780 | +167 313 |
| 2022 | 11 021 177 | +155 397 |
| 2023 | 11 483 374 | +462 197 |
| 2024 | 11 943 408 | +460 034 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for South Sudan from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About South Sudan Population
What is the current population of South Sudan?
The population of South Sudan is estimated to be approximately 11 943 408 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of South Sudan growing?
South Sudan has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.22% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 9 011 849 people (+307.4%) over this 64-year period.
How does South Sudan's population compare to other countries?
South Sudan ranks #126 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 11 943 408 people, South Sudan accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of South Sudan changed over time?
Over the past decades, South Sudan's population has increased from 2 931 559 people in 1960 to 11 943 408 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 11 943 408 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of South Sudan?
South Sudan achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 2 931 559 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 11 943 408 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 11 943 408 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 2 931 559 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in South Sudan?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in South Sudan include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for South Sudan?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for South Sudan from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.