Deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan
South Sudan: Deaths in armed conflicts was 771 deaths in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan, 1989–2025
Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan is 771 deaths, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 22.6% on the previous year and down 43.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan peaked at 7,206 deaths in 1991 and was at its lowest, 138 deaths, in 2003.
South Sudan ranks 22nd of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 4,907 deaths | — |
| 1990 | 4,301 deaths | -12.3% |
| 1991 | 7,206 deaths | +67.5% |
| 1992 | 3,866 deaths | -46.4% |
| 1993 | 6,930 deaths | +79.3% |
| 1994 | 491 deaths | -92.9% |
| 1995 | 2,225 deaths | +353.2% |
| 1996 | 2,374 deaths | +6.7% |
| 1997 | 7,092 deaths | +198.7% |
| 1998 | 4,644 deaths | -34.5% |
| 1999 | 583 deaths | -87.4% |
| 2000 | 1,977 deaths | +239.1% |
| 2001 | 3,153 deaths | +59.5% |
| 2002 | 4,750 deaths | +50.7% |
| 2003 | 138 deaths | -97.1% |
| 2004 | 1,401 deaths | +915.2% |
| 2005 | 162 deaths | -88.4% |
| 2006 | 352 deaths | +117.3% |
| 2007 | 295 deaths | -16.2% |
| 2008 | 321 deaths | +8.8% |
| 2009 | 2,010 deaths | +526.2% |
| 2010 | 611 deaths | -69.6% |
| 2011 | 3,487 deaths | +470.7% |
| 2012 | 1,011 deaths | -71.0% |
| 2013 | 3,791 deaths | +275.0% |
| 2014 | 3,887 deaths | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 1,355 deaths | -65.1% |
| 2016 | 1,744 deaths | +28.7% |
| 2017 | 1,471 deaths | -15.7% |
| 2018 | 1,406 deaths | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 728 deaths | -48.2% |
| 2020 | 956 deaths | +31.3% |
| 2021 | 927 deaths | -3.0% |
| 2022 | 932 deaths | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 212 deaths | -77.3% |
| 2024 | 629 deaths | +196.7% |
| 2025 | 771 deaths | +22.6% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 771 deaths is above the median for low income countries, which is 371 deaths, 2.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 771 deaths is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.5 deaths, 1542.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +915.2% | 138 deaths | 1,401 deaths |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,907 deaths | 4,907 deaths | 4,907 deaths | 1 |
| 1990s | 3,971 deaths | 491 deaths | 7,206 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,456 deaths | 138 deaths | 4,750 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,949 deaths | 611 deaths | 3,887 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 737.83 deaths | 212 deaths | 956 deaths | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More health data for South Sudan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.47 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.665 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,347 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 12,029 deaths (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 123 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 123 deaths (2026)
- Population ages 25-29, female, per capita 0.0349 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per capita 0.0265 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 30-34, female, annual growth rate 1.24 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan?
- Deaths in armed conflicts in South Sudan was 771 deaths in 2025, according to Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths in armed conflicts recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 7,206 deaths in 1991.
- What is the lowest deaths in armed conflicts recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 138 deaths in 2003.
- How does South Sudan rank for deaths in armed conflicts?
- South Sudan ranks 22nd out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is deaths in armed conflicts rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Deaths in armed conflicts. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
High estimate of the number of deaths of combatants and civilians due to fighting in interstate, intrastate, extrasystemic, non-state conflicts, and one-sided violence that were ongoing that year.