South Sudan hosts more than 658,000 refugees and asylum-seekers as Sudan war continues
Credit: Al Jazeera
South Sudan is hosting 658,326 refugees and asylum-seekers as of July 31, 2026, with Sudanese nationals accounting for the vast majority of those seeking safety in the country, according to new figures from the United Nations refugee agency.
The population includes 654,411 registered refugees and 3,915 asylum-seekers living across 31 settlement locations and other communities nationwide.
Sudanese nationals make up about 95% of the refugee and asylum-seeker population, totaling 618,992 people. South Sudan continues to grant prima facie refugee status to people fleeing the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Other major refugee populations include 14,937 people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 7,042 from Ethiopia and 6,220 from Eritrea.
The refugee population is evenly divided between males and females, while children younger than 18 account for more than half of the total population, underscoring significant needs for education, health care and child protection services.
Upper Nile state hosts the largest share of refugees and asylum-seekers, with 311,209 people, or about 47% of the total population. The Ruweng Administrative Area hosts another 153,456 people, representing 23%.
About 57% of the displaced population live in refugee camps and settlements. Doro is the largest settlement, with 106,811 people, followed by Renk with 87,396 and Pamir with 70,109.
Another 29% live in urban areas, while 14% reside in rural communities.
Juba is among the urban locations hosting refugees and asylum-seekers, including 2,618 asylum-seekers.
Children ages 17 and younger account for more than 51% of the refugee and asylum-seeker population, increasing pressure on education and other essential services.
Among school-age children, 198,699 are registered at kindergarten level and 138,449 at primary level, according to the figures.
The population also includes people with a range of professional and livelihood skills. Among those recorded are 2,693 subsistence farmers, fishers and hunters and 893 teaching professionals.
About 10% of the population has been identified as having specific protection or assistance needs.
Disabilities account for 22% of recorded specific needs, followed by serious medical conditions at 20%. Older people at risk account for 18%, while women at risk represent 15% and single parents 12%.
Humanitarian agencies are continuing biometric registration to improve identification and aid delivery. So far, 450,063 people ages 5 and older have been biometrically registered.
The continued arrival of refugees from Sudan is placing additional pressure on South Sudan, which is itself facing significant humanitarian needs, while communities in border areas continue to provide shelter and assistance to people fleeing the conflict.
