South Sudan has a population density of 51 people per square mile, compared to the average of 144 people in other countries. South Sudan has 580,697 sq ft of land per person and ranks 171st out of 197 countries (most to least densely populated).
South Sudan has 0.15% of the world's population and 0.42% of the total land area of all countries.
South Sudan population density by year
people per square mile
| Year | Population density | Density rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 51 | 171 |
| 2025 | 50 | 172 |
| 2024 | 49 | 172 |
| 2023 | 47.1 | 173 |
| 2022 | 45.2 | 175 |
| 2021 | 44.5 | 175 |
| 2020 | 43.8 | 174 |
| 2019 | 42.7 | 174 |
| 2018 | 41.5 | 177 |
| 2017 | 42 | 174 |
| 2016 | 44.4 | 171 |
| 2015 | 45.5 | 169 |
| 2014 | 46 | 169 |
| 2013 | 45.8 | 169 |
| 2012 | 44.1 | 169 |
Data sources: World Bank | Agriculture & Rural Development (2012–2026, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/population-density/south-sudan | CC BY 
This chart shows how population density in South Sudan has changed over time. From 2012 to 2026, population density increased by 15.6%. South Sudan ranked 169th by population density 14 years ago and ranks 171st today.
Density metrics
South Sudan
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Population density | 51 ppl/mi² | 171/197 |
| Population |
12507858
|
81/197 |
| Land area | 243,990 sq mi | 41/197 |
| Land area per capita | 569,522 sq ft | 26/197 |
| Rural population | 78.6% | 8/195 |
| Urban population | 21.4% | 188/195 |
| Living in agglomerations of 1M+ people | 0% | 186/197 |
Share of urban population by year
| Year | Urban population | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21.4% | 188 |
| 2023 | 21.1% | 189 |
| 2022 | 20.8% | 189 |
| 2021 | 20.5% | 189 |
| 2020 | 20.2% | 188 |
| 2019 | 19.9% | 188 |
| 2018 | 19.6% | 188 |
| 2017 | 19.3% | 188 |
| 2016 | 19.1% | 189 |
| 2015 | 18.8% | 188 |
| 2014 | 18.5% | 189 |
| 2013 | 18.3% | 189 |
| 2012 | 18% | 189 |
| 2011 | 17.8% | 189 |
| 2010 | 17.5% | 187 |
| 2009 | 17.3% | 187 |
| 2008 | 17% | 186 |
| 2007 | 17% | 186 |
| 2006 | 17% | 186 |
| 2005 | 16.9% | 187 |
| 2004 | 16.8% | 187 |
| 2003 | 16.6% | 187 |
| 2002 | 16.4% | 186 |
| 2001 | 16.3% | 187 |
| 2000 | 16% | 186 |
| 1999 | 15.8% | 186 |
| 1998 | 15.6% | 186 |
| 1997 | 15.3% | 187 |
| 1996 | 15% | 188 |
| 1995 | 14.7% | 188 |
| 1994 | 14.5% | 189 |
| 1993 | 14.2% | 190 |
| 1992 | 13.8% | 190 |
| 1991 | 13.3% | 190 |
| 1990 | 12.6% | 191 |
| 1989 | 11.9% | 190 |
| 1988 | 11.2% | 190 |
| 1987 | 10.4% | 191 |
| 1986 | 9.73% | 191 |
| 1985 | 9.15% | 191 |
| 1984 | 8.73% | 191 |
| 1983 | 8.52% | 191 |
| 1982 | 8.49% | 191 |
| 1981 | 8.49% | 191 |
| 1980 | 8.49% | 190 |
| 1979 | 8.49% | 190 |
| 1978 | 8.49% | 189 |
| 1977 | 8.49% | 188 |
| 1976 | 8.49% | 187 |
| 1975 | 8.5% | 186 |
| 1974 | 8.5% | 186 |
| 1973 | 8.5% | 184 |
| 1972 | 8.51% | 182 |
| 1971 | 8.51% | 182 |
| 1970 | 8.52% | 182 |
| 1969 | 8.53% | 179 |
| 1968 | 8.54% | 176 |
| 1967 | 8.55% | 176 |
| 1966 | 8.56% | 175 |
| 1965 | 8.57% | 174 |
| 1964 | 8.58% | 173 |
| 1963 | 8.6% | 172 |
| 1962 | 8.62% | 170 |
| 1961 | 8.64% | 168 |
| 1960 | 8.66% | 168 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population-density/south-sudan | CC BY
This chart shows the share of urban population in South Sudan from 1960 to 2024: 8.66% lived in urban areas in 1960, 16% in 2000, and 21.4% in 2024.
Densely populated cities
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population density in other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Agriculture & Rural Development (1961–2026, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1961–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population-density/south-sudan | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Agriculture & Rural Development (1961–2026, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1961–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2008–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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