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South Sudan

Key statistics

1.4 million

people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024

2.3 million

South Sudanese were refugees, asylum-seekers or in need of international protection worldwide at the end of 2024

$298.7 million

are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in South Sudan are sustained

South Sudan continues to face a complex humanitarian landscape shaped by conflict, economic instability, and climate-related shocks. By the end of 2024, the country hosted over 500,000 refugees and asylum-seekers – primarily from Sudan – and nearly 2 million internally displaced people (IDPs). At the same time, more than 500,000 South Sudanese refugees have returned home since the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in 2018, though over 2.3 million remain in exile across neighbouring countries.

Despite limited resources, South Sudan has maintained an open-door policy for refugees. UNHCR works closely with national authorities and partners to support refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host communities across seven states. Through multisectoral assistance – covering protection, education, livelihoods, and basic services – UNHCR is working to strengthen community resilience and support durable, development-oriented solutions.

In 2024, South Sudan was heavily impacted by flooding, food insecurity, and inflation driven by a sharp depreciation of its currency and disruption in oil exports. Armed conflict and intercommunal violence, especially in Unity and Upper Nile, triggered further displacement and restricted humanitarian access. Meanwhile, reception and case management systems were strained by increasing needs, especially among unaccompanied children, women at risk, and persons with disabilities.

Amid these challenges, South Sudan took a landmark step by acceding to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions – affirming its commitment to prevent and reduce statelessness. In addition, efforts to enhance data collection, such as the South Sudan Forced Displacement Survey and joint border monitoring with IOM and the Government, are helping shape more informed and targeted reintegration and recovery responses.

Strategy and results

This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.

Strategy

Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.

Download the strategy

Indicators and targets

Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.

Download indicators and targets

Annual Results Report

Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.

Download the ARR

Population and financial overview

South Sudan

Use the year selector to access information from previous years.

Populations

Population types

Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is  .

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by country

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by origin

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Financial

Budget and expenditure trend

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by pillar
Budget by objective

Note: The table presents the  budget for this operation broken down at the objective level. Resource allocation at the objective level is subject to change during the course of the year as the operational situation evolves and priorities shift. The current budget, reflected in the bottom line of this table, is updated on a monthly basis and is replaced by the final budget at year-end.

Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2024 budget and 2023 current budget are taken from the budget document approved by UNHCR's Executive Committee in October 2023.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

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Strategy - Country

Strategy

For more information about our work in South Sudan:

Are you looking for more data on displacement in South Sudan?

Visit the UNHCR data portal for the latest data and statistics on refugees, stateless and other displaced persons.

Visit the Operational Data Portal

 

Refworld

Find legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection.

Visit Refworld

 

Office contact details

For information about our operation in South Sudan, please contact us through our Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.