South Sudan Population Clock
South Sudan has an estimated population of about 12.2 million, which makes it the 80th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.03% a year.
The capital is Juba.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2016–2025 (World Bank)
How South Sudan's population is changing
South Sudan records about 975 births and 328 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 647 people per day, or about 236,317 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 6,145 over the reported period, with more people arriving than leaving. That is equivalent to about 3% of its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, South Sudan would take roughly 34 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2016 to 2025, the population rose from 10.8 million to 12.2 million — a gain of 1.36 million, or 12.5%.
Where people live in South Sudan
With about 18 people per square kilometre, South Sudan is sparsely populated, well below the world average of 62. That ranks 105th of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Finland and Uruguay.
South Sudan covers about 631,930 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 12.2 million into that density figure.
About 21.7% of people live in urban areas, making South Sudan predominantly rural, below the world average of 57.8%. That works out to roughly 2.64 million town and city dwellers and 9.55 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in South Sudan
South Sudan has a young population: about 38.0% are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 12.4 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 3.79 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 57.7 years, roughly 15.7 years below the global average of 73.5.
South Sudan at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12.2 million | 2025 |
| World rank by population | #80 | 2025 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.03% | 2025 |
| Population density | 18 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 631,930 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 21.7% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 57.7 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 3.79 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 38.0% | 2025 |
| Population 65 and over | 3.1% | 2025 |
| Net migration | 6,145 | 2025 |
| Births per day | 975 | 2025 |
| Deaths per day | 328 | 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
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Where do these South Sudan figures come from?
Current local time in South Sudan
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2025. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank