Indicator	Value
Total population	11,900,000 peopleUN DESA WPP [2024] 11,940,000 people·World Bank WDI [2024] 11,940,000 people
Median age	18.3 yearsUN DESA WPP [2024]
Life expectancy	57.6–57.7 yearsWorld Bank WDI [2024] 57.74 years·UNDP HDI [2023] 57.62 years
Ethnic groups	Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.); note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studiesCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive
Languages	English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, ShillukCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive
Religions	Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive
Urbanization	21.2% of total population (2023)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive
Population growth	3.93 %World Bank WDI [2024]
Birth rate	29.2 per 1,000World Bank WDI [2024]
Death rate	9.82 per 1,000World Bank WDI [2024]
Urban population	21.4 %World Bank WDI [2024]
Languages (structured)	Acoli Aja (South Sudan) Anuak Aringa Avokaya Bai Baka (South Sudan) Banda-Banda Banda-Mbrès Banda-Ndélé Bari Belanda Bor Belanda Viri Beli (South Sudan) Boguru Bongo Daasanach Dana Didinga Dongo Kresh Dongotono Feroge Golo Gula (Central African Republic) Homa Indri Jumjum Jur Modo Kacipo-Balesi Kakwa Karamojong Keliko Kelo Komo (Sudan-Ethiopia) Kresh-Woro Kuku Lango-Logire-Logir Logo Lokoya Lopit Luwo Ma'di Mabaan Mandari Mangayat Mid-Southern Banda Mittu Mo'da Morokodo Moru Murle Mündü Narim Ndogo Ngala-Santandrea Njalgulgule Northeastern Dinka Northern Burun Northwestern Dinka Nubi Nuer Nyamusa-Molo Nyangatom Okolie Olu'bo Opo Otuho Päri Reel Shilluk South Central Dinka South Sudanese Creole Arabic South Sudanese Sign Language Southeastern Dinka Southwestern Dinka Tagbu Tennet Thuri Tirma-Chai Togbo-Vara Banda Togoyo Toposa Turkana Uduk West Central Banda Yulu-Binga Zande Glottolog [2026]