South Sudan’s population to reach 20.3 million by 2030, NBS says

South Sudan’s population is projected to reach 20. 3 million by 2030, according to a new report launched by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Population Situation Analysis (PSA) 2026 report, launched in Juba on Wednesday, estimates the country’s population at 16. 4 million in 2026. According to the bureau, the report aims to guide national planning, budgeting and policy development.

It draws on data from the 2021 Population Estimation Survey, the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and other administrative records to provide population estimates and projections. The report also highlights the country’s young population, with about 47 percent of people under the age of 15 and 79 percent under 35. It says the figures point to the need for increased investment in education, healthcare and youth employment. Speaking at the launch, NBS Director General Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai stressed the importance of reliable statistics in national decision-making. He urged government institutions…