South Sudan
- Capital:
- Juba
- Continent:
- Africa
- Region(s):
- Middle Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Abbreviation:
- SSD
12,436,037
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
12,436,037
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
South Sudan's population is projected to be23,815,418 by 2097.
Historical
Switch the toggle to see projected data.
Year↓ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12,436,037 | 2.74% | 80 |
| 2025 | 12,188,788 | 2.64% | 81 |
| 2020 | 10,698,467 | 2.64% | 87 |
| 2019 | 10,423,384 | 2.97% | 88 |
| 2018 | 10,122,977 | -1.33% | 90 |
| 2017 | 10,259,154 | -5.27% | 88 |
| 2015 | 11,107,561 | 2.65% | 81 |
| 2010 | 9,745,953 | 5.13% | 88 |
| 2005 | 7,590,143 | 4.7% | 93 |
| 2000 | 6,032,267 | 2.91% | 100 |
Year↑ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12,436,037 | 2.74% | 80 |
| 2032 | 13,996,351 | 1.98% | 79 |
| 2037 | 15,335,703 | 1.85% | 79 |
| 2042 | 16,593,363 | 1.59% | 79 |
| 2047 | 17,728,337 | 1.33% | 78 |
| 2052 | 18,754,446 | 1.13% | 78 |
| 2057 | 19,744,938 | 1.03% | 76 |
| 2062 | 20,659,136 | 0.91% | 75 |
| 2067 | 21,521,042 | 0.82% | 75 |
| 2072 | 22,278,428 | 0.69% | 74 |
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Juba has a metropolitan area population of 474,156, comprising 3.81%% of South Sudan's total population.
As of 2026, South Sudan has a total population of 12,436,037, ranking as the 80th most populous nation in the world.
South Sudan has a net population change of approximately 687 people per day, driven by 1,002 births, 337 deaths, and net immigration of 22 people.
South Sudan represents 0.16% of the total global population and 0.78% of Africa's population.
South Sudan has a population density of 20.4 people per km² (approximately 52.7 per mi²), making it the 196th most densely populated country in the world.
Currently, 16.48% of the population resides in urban areas, a figure that is increasing annually.
*Rates last updated: July 9, 2026
As of 2026, the largest ethnicity in South Sudan is Dinka (Jieng) (35.8%), followed by Nuer (Naath) (15.6%).
As of 2026, Christian is the largest religion in South Sudan, comprising 60.5% of the population.