South Sudan: immigration

How many South Sudanese refugees are there?

2,386,499 refugees and 123,984 asylum seekers from South Sudan were living abroad at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, up from 2,290,622 refugees a year earlier. The largest numbers were in Uganda (1,033,579), Sudan (634,954), Ethiopia (422,871) and Kenya (202,772).

Inside the country, UNHCR counts 1,277,527 internally displaced people at the end of 2025. During 2025, 199,273 South Sudanese refugees returned home, according to UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, South Sudan as origin (2025) · UNHCR: South Sudanese refugees by country of asylum (2025)

How many refugees are there in South Sudan?

South Sudan hosted 601,818 refugees and 3,246 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, up from 514,794 refugees a year earlier. Most came from Sudan (571,066), followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (14,647) and Ethiopia (6,578).

UNHCR also counts 208,735 refugees who returned to South Sudan during 2025 and 60,600 stateless people.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, South Sudan as host (2025) · UNHCR: Refugees in South Sudan by origin (2025)

How many foreign-born people live in South Sudan?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in South Sudan was 7.7% in 2024. It was 7.6% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; South Sudan is 6th highest of 48. Worldwide: 75th of 193.

What is net migration in South Sudan?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 6,145. The peak was 455,000 in 2023 and the low -670,477 in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; South Sudan is 8th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 49th highest.

How many refugees live in South Sudan?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in South Sudan was 601,818, according to UNHCR. No year since 2011 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and South Sudan placed 6th highest of 45. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 13th highest.

How many refugees come from South Sudan?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 2.39 million. Its high point since 2011 was 2017, at 2.44 million; its low point was 2011, at 0. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; South Sudan is 2nd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 5th of 189.

How much are remittances to South Sudan?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2015, is 9.5% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and South Sudan placed 9th highest of 42. Of 169 countries with 2015 data, 30th highest.