Sudan Population 2026: A Country Counted Through the World’s Largest Displacement Crisis
When the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in Khartoum on April 15, 2023, no one could have predicted the scale of human displacement that would follow. By 2026, the Sudan conflict had produced what international agencies have repeatedly described as the world’s largest active displacement crisis. Approximately 12.5 million Sudanese have been displaced, including more than 8 million internally displaced and over 4 million who have fled to neighboring countries, including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Libya.
The Sudan population in 2026 stands at approximately 49 million according to the live counters on worldpopulationclock.net, drawing on the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 revision and Sudanese Central Bureau of Statistics estimates (with substantial caveats given the war disruption). The figure includes all who would normally be counted as Sudanese residents, although the actual geographic distribution within Sudan and the share who remain in the country versus abroad have been dramatically reshaped by the war.
This article examines the Sudan population through the lens of the catastrophic ongoing displacement crisis, the pre-war demographic structure across 18 states, the famine and humanitarian conditions affecting much of the population, and the deeply uncertain trajectory over the coming decades.
A Population Trajectory Disrupted by Recurring Crisis
Sudan’s population stood at approximately 5.7 million in 1950 (within current borders, excluding what is now South Sudan). The country grew through high fertility despite recurring conflicts, including the long civil war between the north and south that eventually led to South Sudanese independence in 2011.
A condensed Sudanese demographic timeline (current borders, excluding South Sudan):
- 1950: 5.7 million residents
- 1970: 10 million
- 1990: 21 million
- 2010: 35 million (just before South Sudan’s independence in 2011)
- 2020: 44 million
- 2026: 49 million (significant uncertainty due to war)
The 2011 separation of South Sudan removed approximately 8 to 9 million people from the Sudanese count. The post 2011 Sudanese population has continued growing through high fertility, despite multiple conflicts and political crises that have characterized the post-Bashir period since the 2019 revolution.
Sudan Population by State: A Detailed Breakdown
Sudan is divided into 18 states. The pre-war distribution is presented here with the understanding that current populations have been dramatically reshaped by displacement.
| State | Pre-war 2022 Population | 2026 Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khartoum | 8.0 million | 2-3 million in capital | Largely emptied during war |
| Gezira | 4.6 million | reduced | Heavy displacement received |
| North Darfur | 2.65 million | ongoing crisis | Famine area |
| South Darfur | 4.85 million | substantial displacement | Fighting and displacement |
| Kassala | 2.65 million | host to displaced | Eastern receiving area |
| Red Sea | 1.55 million | Port Sudan capital | Government temporary capital |
| White Nile | 2.95 million | host to displaced | Many displaced from Khartoum |
| Sennar | 2.05 million | host to displaced | Receiving area |
| Blue Nile | 1.4 million | various | Some areas held by SPLM-N |
| North Kordofan | 2.95 million | various | RSF controlled areas |
| South Kordofan | 1.9 million | various | RSF and SPLM-N areas |
| West Kordofan | 1.7 million | various | RSF activity |
| Central Darfur | 1.0 million | substantial crisis | Heavy displacement |
| West Darfur | 1.05 million | Geneina destroyed | Massive displacement to Chad |
| East Darfur | 1.05 million | substantial | Displacement |
| Northern | 1.0 million | relatively stable | Less affected by war |
| River Nile | 1.4 million | relatively stable | Less affected by war |
| Al Qadarif | 2.2 million | receiving displaced | Eastern receiving area |
Source: Sudanese Central Bureau of Statistics pre-war estimates and various humanitarian agency reports for the current situation.
Khartoum state, which held the national capital and approximately 8 million residents before the war, has been largely emptied as fighting has destroyed much of the capital city. Substantial portions of the previous Khartoum population have fled to other Sudanese states, to neighboring countries, or have been internally displaced multiple times.
The Darfur states have experienced particularly devastating impacts, including the destruction of major cities like El Geneina (capital of West Darfur, largely destroyed in 2023), substantial famine conditions, and ethnic violence with characteristics that international observers have compared to the earlier 2003 to 2008 Darfur genocide.
The Displacement Crisis in Numbers
The April 2023 Sudan war has produced displacement of unprecedented scale and pace:
Internal displacement reached approximately 8.5 million by 2026, the largest internal displacement crisis anywhere in the world.
Refugees in neighboring countries total more than 4 million by 2026, including:
- Chad: approximately 850,000 (mostly from Darfur)
- Egypt: approximately 1.1 million (many from Khartoum)
- South Sudan: approximately 950,000 (many returning South Sudanese plus Sudanese refugees)
- Ethiopia: approximately 100,000
- Central African Republic: approximately 50,000
- Various other destinations
Famine conditions have been formally declared in multiple areas, including parts of North Darfur. The Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine conditions in Zamzam camp in 2024 and warned of expanded famine across substantial Sudanese territory.
Deaths from the conflict, including from violence, famine, and disease, have been substantial, though precise figures remain contested. Estimates from various sources suggest excess deaths in the hundreds of thousands across the war period.
Demographic Profile in 2026
Sudanese total fertility sits at approximately 4.4 children per woman in 2026, well above the 2.1 replacement threshold. Median age in Sudan is approximately 19 years, among the youngest in the world.
Life expectancy at birth in Sudan stood at approximately 65 years before the war and has likely declined during the conflict, although precise measurements during the war are extremely difficult.
Future Projections
| Year | Projected Sudan Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 53 million | Assumes some conflict resolution |
| 2040 | 64 million | Continued growth |
| 2050 | 75 million | Continued growth |
| 2075 | 95 million | Continued growth |
| 2100 | 112 million | Approaching long-term peak |
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium variant.
Projections from the UN World Population Prospects 2024 revision suggest the Sudan population will reach approximately 53 million by 2030 and 75 million by 2050, although these projections carry exceptional uncertainty given the ongoing war. The trajectory assumes some eventual resolution of the conflict and partial return of displaced populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sudan in 2026?
Sudan’s population in 2026 stands at approximately 49 million residents, though the figure includes substantial uncertainty due to the ongoing war and massive displacement. The figure draws on the UN World Population Prospects 2024 revision.
How has the 2023 war affected Sudan’s population?
The April 2023 war has produced what international agencies describe as the world’s largest active displacement crisis, with approximately 12.5 million Sudanese displaced, including 8.5 million internally displaced and over 4 million who have fled to neighboring countries.
Which Sudanese state had the largest pre-war population?
Khartoum state held the largest pre-war population at approximately 8 million residents, anchored by the capital Khartoum. The state has been largely emptied as fighting has destroyed much of the capital city.
How many Sudanese refugees are in neighboring countries?
Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries total more than 4 million by 2026, including approximately 1.1 million in Egypt, 950,000 in South Sudan, 850,000 in Chad, 100,000 in Ethiopia, and additional smaller communities elsewhere.
What is Sudan’s fertility rate?
Sudan’s total fertility rate sits at approximately 4.4 children per woman in 2026, well above the 2.1 replacement threshold. Sudan remains a relatively young country despite the war disruption.
How many people have died in the Sudan war?
Death estimates from various sources suggest excess deaths in the hundreds of thousands across the war period, including violence, famine, and disease. Precise figures remain contested and underreported.
Has famine been declared in Sudan?
Yes, the Famine Review Committee of the IPC confirmed famine conditions in Zamzam camp in North Darfur in 2024 and warned of expanded famine across substantial Sudanese territory. Multiple areas continue to face famine conditions.
What is the median age in Sudan?
The median age in Sudan sits at approximately 19 years in 2026, among the youngest in the world.
What is the life expectancy in Sudan?
Life expectancy at birth in Sudan stood at approximately 65 years before the war and has likely declined during the conflict, though precise measurements during the war are extremely difficult.
What is the projected Sudan population in 2050?
Sudan’s population is projected to reach approximately 75 million by 2050 under the UN medium variant, although projections carry exceptional uncertainty given the ongoing war.
Sources
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.
- World Population Prospects 2024 revision.
- Sudanese Central Bureau of Statistics, pre-war estimates 2022.
- UNHCR Sudan and neighboring countries operations, Displacement Reports 2024 and 2025.
- IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix Sudan 2024 and 2025.
- Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Sudan analyses 2024 and 2025.
- Live national counters at worldpopulationclock.net.