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

Western Bahr el Ghazal is a state of South Sudan, number 10 of 10 by population. The National Bureau of Statistics projects the population of Western Bahr el Ghazal at 646,258 for 2026 (331,929 male, 314,329 female), 3.9% of South Sudan's projected 16.37 million; the 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 Western Bahr el Ghazal: For every 1,000 babies born in Western Bahr el Ghazal in the five years before the 2025 survey, 22 died in their first month and 51 before their fifth birthday (based on a small number of cases); the under-five rate is 2nd lowest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 45 and 87).
• Education in Western Bahr el Ghazal: 65% of children of primary school age (6 to 13) in Western Bahr el Ghazal were attending school in 2025, 2nd highest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 42%).

More figures

• 10% of people in Western Bahr el Ghazal had a handwashing place with soap and water at home in 2025, 3rd highest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 6%). Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copy
• 52% of children under five in Western 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, 3rd 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
• Northern Bahr el Ghazal 1,402,419
• Unity State 1,269,507
• Western Equatoria 1,013,081

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…)

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