South Sudan Records 1.3 Million Returnees Since 2023

Copyright: Antonia Vadala, Creator: Antonia Vadala

South Sudan has recorded 1,298,634 returnees between Jan. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2026, according to data published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The figures are presented in a UNHCR map showing counties with high returnee populations across the country. The data, published Sept. 8, identifies areas receiving returnees from neighboring countries, with the largest concentrations recorded in several counties across South Sudan.

The returnee population includes people who have returned to South Sudan during the reporting period. UNHCR said the figures are cumulative and may be higher because of unofficial border crossings.

The map also lists 93,929 returnees whose county locations are unknown.

Returnees have been recorded across states including Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria.

UNHCR’s data highlights the scale of return movements and the need for continued humanitarian assistance and services in areas receiving returnees.

The map includes county-level figures and identifies areas with returnee populations ranging from 1 to more than 80,000 individuals.

UNHCR cautioned that the boundaries and names shown on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations or UNHCR. The final boundary between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the final status of the Abyei Area, remains undetermined.

The returnee statistics cover the period from Jan. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2026.