Gov’t estimates give Kiir’s home state lion’s share of South Sudan Population

JUBA, APRIL 8, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A new South Sudan government population estimate has given Warrap, President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s home state, the lion’s share of the country’s total population.

The figures were a result of a population estimate survey conducted by the government between May and June 2021.

The estimates, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, put Warrap State’s population at 2,639,487 – 171.47% from the 2008 population census which put the president’s home state at 972,928.

Based on the 2008 population census, Jonglei was the most populous state in Southern Sudan with at least 1,358,602. Based on the latest government estimates, it stands at a population of 791,105 which is a 41.6% population decrease in only 13 years.

The results of the 2008 population census conducted under Sudan ahead of the 2010 elections, were disputed by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), which said that Southern Sudan’s population could be higher than that.

The SPLM described it as “false and unwelcome” and was meant to rig elections Voice of America reported at the time.

The government estimates which put the total South Sudan population at 12,444,018 said the disputed Abyei region is the least populated territory of the world’s youngest country with only a population 133,958 people.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal is estimated to be the second most populous state with a population of 1,924,342.

Central Equatoria State, which serves as the seat of the national government, is estimated to host a population of 1,324,521.

Lakes State is estimated to have a population of 1,265,473, while Eastern Equatoria State has a population of 981,902.

Oil-rich Unity State is estimated to have a population of 892,780, while Upper Nile State has a population of 790,147. Western Bahr el Ghazal State is estimated to have a population of 562,555.

The Greater Pibor Administrative Area is estimated to be home to 240,102 people, while the Ruweng Administrative Area is estimated to have a population of 234,416.