Net migration in South Sudan
South Sudan: Net migration was 6,145 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in South Sudan, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in South Sudan stood at 6,145.
That represents a change of down 60.0% on the previous year and up 103.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in South Sudan peaked at 455,000 in 2023 and was at its lowest, -670,477, in 2017.
South Sudan ranks 50th of 218 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 995 | — |
| 1961 | 1,194 | +20.0% |
| 1962 | 1,386 | +16.1% |
| 1963 | 1,591 | +14.8% |
| 1964 | 1,785 | +12.2% |
| 1965 | 1,591 | -10.9% |
| 1966 | 1,386 | -12.9% |
| 1967 | 1,194 | -13.9% |
| 1968 | 995 | -16.7% |
| 1969 | 786 | -21.0% |
| 1970 | 587 | -25.3% |
| 1971 | 394 | -32.9% |
| 1972 | 193 | -51.0% |
| 1973 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1974 | -192 | — |
| 1975 | -395 | +105.7% |
| 1976 | -995 | +151.9% |
| 1977 | -1,997 | +100.7% |
| 1978 | -2,998 | +50.1% |
| 1979 | -3,997 | +33.3% |
| 1980 | -4,997 | +25.0% |
| 1981 | -5,994 | +20.0% |
| 1982 | -6,983 | +16.5% |
| 1983 | -7,986 | +14.4% |
| 1984 | -8,984 | +12.5% |
| 1985 | -9,986 | +11.2% |
| 1986 | -10,973 | +9.9% |
| 1987 | -11,976 | +9.1% |
| 1988 | -97,065 | +710.5% |
| 1989 | -130,821 | +34.8% |
| 1990 | 12,988 | -109.9% |
| 1991 | 14,327 | +10.3% |
| 1992 | 15,077 | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 15,772 | +4.6% |
| 1994 | 16,407 | +4.0% |
| 1995 | 17,077 | +4.1% |
| 1996 | 17,953 | +5.1% |
| 1997 | 48,280 | +168.9% |
| 1998 | 64,285 | +33.2% |
| 1999 | 70,271 | +9.3% |
| 2000 | 74,227 | +5.6% |
| 2001 | 77,856 | +4.9% |
| 2002 | 82,847 | +6.4% |
| 2003 | 91,951 | +11.0% |
| 2004 | 110,182 | +19.8% |
| 2005 | 132,869 | +20.6% |
| 2006 | 153,926 | +15.8% |
| 2007 | 167,350 | +8.7% |
| 2008 | 165,557 | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 139,129 | -16.0% |
| 2010 | 299,402 | +115.2% |
| 2011 | 194,325 | -35.1% |
| 2012 | 125,771 | -35.3% |
| 2013 | 65,337 | -48.1% |
| 2014 | -471,523 | -821.7% |
| 2015 | -159,822 | -66.1% |
| 2016 | -654,225 | +309.3% |
| 2017 | -670,477 | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 157,408 | -123.5% |
| 2019 | 65,198 | -58.6% |
| 2020 | 62,935 | -3.5% |
| 2021 | -154,359 | -345.3% |
| 2022 | 40,259 | -126.1% |
| 2023 | 455,000 | +1030.2% |
| 2024 | 15,374 | -96.6% |
| 2025 | 6,145 | -60.0% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 6,145 is above the median for low income countries, which is -7,704. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 6,145 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -5,646. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +1030.2% | 40,259 | 455,000 |
| 2014 | -821.7% | 65,337 | -471,523 |
| 1988 | -710.5% | -11,976 | -97,065 |
| 2021 | -345.3% | 62,935 | -154,359 |
| 2016 | -309.3% | -159,822 | -654,225 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1,290 | 786 | 1,785 | 10 |
| 1970s | -940 | -3,997 | 587 | 10 |
| 1980s | -29,576 | -130,821 | -4,997 | 10 |
| 1990s | 29,244 | 12,988 | 70,271 | 10 |
| 2000s | 119,589 | 74,227 | 167,350 | 10 |
| 2010s | -104,861 | -670,477 | 299,402 | 10 |
| 2020s | 70,892 | -154,359 | 455,000 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More financial sector data for South Sudan
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserves excluding gold, foreign exchange (SDR), annual growth rate -77.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Reserves excluding gold, foreign exchange (SDR), per unit of GDP 0.0136 SDR per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Reserves excluding gold, foreign exchange (SDR), per capita 0.803 SDR per person (2024)
- Reserves excluding gold (SDR), annual growth rate -77.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Reserves excluding gold (SDR), per capita 1.02 SDR per person (2024)
- Total reserves (gold at market value) (SDR), annual growth rate -77.47 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in South Sudan?
- Net migration in South Sudan was 6,145 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 455,000 in 2023.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was -670,477 in 2017.
- How does South Sudan rank for net migration?
- South Sudan ranks 50th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 103.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.