States of South Sudan: population and official figures
South Sudan is divided into 10 states. The largest by population is Jonglei State with 2,491,577 people (15.3% of the total); the smallest is Western Bahr el Ghazal with 646,258. Population figures are National Bureau of Statistics projections for 2026, made in 2016 from the 2008 census (the last one held) on the 2008 state boundaries, so Jonglei includes Greater Pibor and Unity includes Ruweng. Health, nutrition, schooling, water and child-protection figures come from the 2025 South Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NBS with UNICEF), which reports the Greater Pibor, Ruweng and Abyei administrative areas separately; malaria from the Ministry of Health's 2023 Malaria Indicator Survey; health facilities from the 2025 Health Statistics Abstract; and teachers from the 2023 Annual Education Census.
Who governs South Sudan's states?
States (10) and administrative areas (3: Abyei, Greater Pibor, Ruweng): Governors and chief administrators appointed by the president, with posts shared among parties under the 2018 peace agreement. State government, security, services.
How local power works in South Sudan · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 10 states, largest first
| # | State | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonglei State | 2,491,577 | 2026 | +3.3% |
| 2 | Central Equatoria | 2,133,338 | 2026 | +3.3% |
| 3 | Eastern Equatoria | 2,003,806 | 2026 | +4.1% |
| 4 | Upper Nile State | 1,928,664 | 2026 | +3.5% |
| 5 | Warrap State | 1,877,565 | 2026 | +3.6% |
| 6 | Lakes State | 1,523,287 | 2026 | +4.1% |
| 7 | Northern Bahr el Ghazal | 1,402,419 | 2026 | +3.9% |
| 8 | Unity State | 1,269,507 | 2026 | +4.4% |
| 9 | Western Equatoria | 1,013,081 | 2026 | +3.0% |
| 10 | Western Bahr el Ghazal | 646,258 | 2026 | +3.6% |
Cities: the largest cities of South Sudan.
More on South Sudan: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan: Population Projections for South Sudan 2020-2040 (Tables 2-12: national and state projections by sex; published 2016 from the 2008 census), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f4e977226d83…)
- National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF): South Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025, Key Findings Report (April 2026): regional data tables, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 192fb524a46f…)
- Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Programme (with the National Bureau of Statistics): South Sudan Malaria Indicator Survey 2023, Final Report (Table 4.6: malaria prevalence in children by state), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 be5665021b2d…)
- Ministry of Health, South Sudan (with the National Bureau of Statistics): 2025 Health Statistics Abstract (Table 1: base population by state; Table 89: health facility density by state), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a0ee7db7ffa5…)
- Ministry of General Education and Instruction, South Sudan: National Education Census Summary Report 2023 (Figure 7: pupil-teacher ratios by state), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 95971d98c247…)
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