South Sudan Population

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country since its independence in 2011, has experienced significant population growth despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges. According to United Nations estimates, the population has increased from approximately 8.3 million in 2011 to over 11 million by 2023. This growth is driven by high fertility rates, with an average of more than four children per woman, even as the country faces high mortality rates due to conflict, disease, and malnutrition. However, accurate population data is difficult to obtain because of large-scale displacement, both internally and across borders, as millions of South Sudanese have fled violence or sought refuge in neighboring countries. Despite these challenges, the population continues to grow, placing additional pressure on the country’s limited resources and fragile infrastructure.

Data from US Census International Database