(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan was hosting 663,951 refugees and asylum seekers as of 30th September 2026, according to newly released data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The figure comprises 659,622 refugees and 4,329 asylum seekers, the UNHCR map published on 8th October shows .
Upper Nile State hosts the largest share, with 312,695 people or 47% of the total. The Ruweng Administrative Area accounts for 155,394 people, or 24% of the total.
Central Equatoria State hosts 51,211 people, representing 7% of the total. Northern Bahr el Ghazal has 36,401 people, or 5%, while Western Equatoria hosts 21,774 people, or 3%.
Western Bahr el Ghazal hosts 18,334 people, or 3% of the total. Lakes State has 2,821 people, Jonglei has 2,509 and Warrap has 1,221.
Other locations account for 61,591 people, representing 9% of the total.
The data shows Sudanese refugees make up the vast majority of the population, followed by refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic .
South Sudan continues to grant prima facie refugee status to those fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
The refugee population faces severe funding shortages. UNHCR and the World Food Programme warned in August that more than 650,000 refugees risked losing food assistance due to critical funding gaps .
UNHCR had secured only 28% of the $286 million needed for its South Sudan operation this year, while WFP faced a $37 million gap for its refugee response .
More than 1.4 million refugees and returnees have crossed into South Sudan since conflict erupted in Sudan in 2023.
