Population in largest city in South Sudan
South Sudan: Population in largest city was 500,088 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
500,088
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
148th
of 153 countries
All-time high
500,088
in 2025
All-time low
16,477
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population in largest city in South Sudan, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in South Sudan stood at 500,088. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and up 55.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in South Sudan peaked at 500,088 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 16,477, in 1960.
That places South Sudan 148th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 16,477 | — |
| 1961 | 18,152 | +10.2% |
| 1962 | 20,000 | +10.2% |
| 1963 | 22,036 | +10.2% |
| 1964 | 24,282 | +10.2% |
| 1965 | 26,750 | +10.2% |
| 1966 | 29,473 | +10.2% |
| 1967 | 32,473 | +10.2% |
| 1968 | 35,784 | +10.2% |
| 1969 | 39,421 | +10.2% |
| 1970 | 43,434 | +10.2% |
| 1971 | 47,855 | +10.2% |
| 1972 | 52,734 | +10.2% |
| 1973 | 57,298 | +8.7% |
| 1974 | 59,658 | +4.1% |
| 1975 | 62,115 | +4.1% |
| 1976 | 64,677 | +4.1% |
| 1977 | 67,337 | +4.1% |
| 1978 | 70,111 | +4.1% |
| 1979 | 72,998 | +4.1% |
| 1980 | 76,009 | +4.1% |
| 1981 | 79,135 | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 82,395 | +4.1% |
| 1983 | 85,436 | +3.7% |
| 1984 | 88,071 | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 90,780 | +3.1% |
| 1986 | 93,577 | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 96,459 | +3.1% |
| 1988 | 99,435 | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 102,494 | +3.1% |
| 1990 | 105,651 | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 108,905 | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 112,265 | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 116,106 | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 121,598 | +4.7% |
| 1995 | 127,349 | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 133,381 | +4.7% |
| 1997 | 139,681 | +4.7% |
| 1998 | 146,287 | +4.7% |
| 1999 | 153,206 | +4.7% |
| 2000 | 160,463 | +4.7% |
| 2001 | 168,041 | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 175,989 | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 184,313 | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 193,043 | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 202,161 | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 211,722 | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 221,736 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 232,239 | +4.7% |
| 2009 | 243,239 | +4.7% |
| 2010 | 254,761 | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 266,828 | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 279,467 | +4.7% |
| 2013 | 292,705 | +4.7% |
| 2014 | 306,569 | +4.7% |
| 2015 | 321,091 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 336,300 | +4.7% |
| 2017 | 352,229 | +4.7% |
| 2018 | 368,914 | +4.7% |
| 2019 | 385,765 | +4.6% |
| 2020 | 403,215 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 421,292 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 439,993 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | 459,342 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | 479,359 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | 500,088 | +4.3% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 500,088 is below the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 25% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 500,088 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 23% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 26,485 | 16,477 | 39,421 | 10 |
| 1970s | 59,822 | 43,434 | 72,998 | 10 |
| 1980s | 89,379 | 76,009 | 102,494 | 10 |
| 1990s | 126,443 | 105,651 | 153,206 | 10 |
| 2000s | 199,295 | 160,463 | 243,239 | 10 |
| 2010s | 316,463 | 254,761 | 385,765 | 10 |
| 2020s | 450,548 | 403,215 | 500,088 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More urban development data for South Sudan
- Population in the largest city 18.9% (2025)
- Population density 18.17 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 23.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 13.46 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
- Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen 7.77 million current US$ (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in South Sudan?
- Population in largest city in South Sudan was 500,088 in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 500,088 in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 16,477 in 1960.
- How does South Sudan rank for population in largest city?
- South Sudan ranks 148th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 55.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.