Northern Bahr el Ghazal: population, health, nutrition, schooling, water and child protection

Northern Bahr el Ghazal is a state of South Sudan, number 7 of 10 by population. The National Bureau of Statistics projects the population of Northern Bahr el Ghazal at 1,402,419 for 2026 (676,241 male, 726,178 female), 8.6% of South Sudan's projected 16.37 million; 4th smallest of the 10 states. The projection was published in 2016 from the 2008 census, the last one held, so it does not reflect the conflict and displacement since then.

In depth

• Health in Northern Bahr el Ghazal: For every 1,000 babies born in Northern Bahr el Ghazal in the five years before the 2025 survey, 29 died in their first month and 79 before their fifth birthday; the under-five rate is 3rd lowest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 45 and 87).
• Education in Northern Bahr el Ghazal: 42% of children of primary school age (6 to 13) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal were attending school in 2025, 5th highest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 42%).

More figures

• 3% of people in Northern Bahr el Ghazal had a handwashing place with soap and water at home in 2025, 3rd lowest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 6%). Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copy
• 53% of children under five in Northern Bahr el Ghazal had been left alone, or with another child under 10, for more than an hour in the week before the 2025 survey, joint 4th lowest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 45%). Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copy

How states are governed in South Sudan

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.

Every tier of government in South Sudan

Other states of South Sudan

• Jonglei State 2,491,577
• Central Equatoria 2,133,338
• Eastern Equatoria 2,003,806
• Upper Nile State 1,928,664
• Warrap State 1,877,565
• Lakes State 1,523,287
• Unity State 1,269,507
• Western Equatoria 1,013,081
• Western Bahr el Ghazal 646,258

Up a level: South Sudan · government and power in South Sudan · cities

Sources

• 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…)
• 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…)
• 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…)
• 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…)

Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.