List of South Sudan States and Capitals - Largest and Smallest by Area & Population

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

South Sudan is a country located in East-Central Africa. It is divided into ten states, which were established after the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Here are the states of South Sudan:

South Sudan is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. The country is divided into 10 states and 3 administrative areas for governance and regional administration. Juba is the national capital and also the largest city in South Sudan.

The country includes savannas, wetlands, swamps, river systems, forests, and grasslands centered around the White Nile basin. Different states are known for agriculture, livestock, oil production, fishing, and cultural diversity.

Key Facts

National capital: Juba
Total population: 12,500,000 (Official estimate 2025)
Total area: 619,745 km² (239,285 sq miles)
Currency: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
Bordering countries: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic
Total States: 10
Total Administrative Areas: 3

List of States and Administrative Capitals of South Sudan

Total administrative divisions shown: 13 | Combined population: 12,500,000 | Combined area: 619,745 km²

#	State / Administrative Area	Capital City	Geographic Region	Area (km²)	Population (Latest Estimate)
1	Central Equatoria	Juba	Southern Highlands	22,956	1,800,000
2	Eastern Equatoria	Torit	Southeastern Borderlands	73,472	1,100,000
3	Jonglei	Bor	Central Wetlands	122,581	1,900,000
4	Lakes	Rumbek	Central Grasslands	40,235	1,200,000
5	Northern Bahr el Ghazal	Aweil	Northwestern Plains	30,543	1,000,000
6	Unity	Bentiu	Oil-Producing North	35,956	900,000
7	Upper Nile	Malakal	Northeastern Nile Basin	77,823	1,200,000
8	Warrap	Kuajok	North-Central South Sudan	31,027	1,300,000
9	Western Bahr el Ghazal	Wau	Western Forest Zone	93,900	500,000
10	Western Equatoria	Yambio	Southwestern Forests	79,343	900,000
11	Abyei Administrative Area	Abyei	Northern Border Area	10,546	150,000
12	Greater Pibor Administrative Area	Pibor	Eastern Plains	31,106	350,000
13	Ruweng Administrative Area	Pariang	Northern Oil Region	10,257	200,000

Largest States and Administrative Areas by Area

Jonglei - 47,329 sq mi (122,581 km²)
Western Bahr el Ghazal - 36,255 sq mi (93,900 km²)
Western Equatoria - 30,635 sq mi (79,343 km²)
Upper Nile - 30,048 sq mi (77,823 km²)
Eastern Equatoria - 28,368 sq mi (73,472 km²)
Lakes - 15,535 sq mi (40,235 km²)
Unity - 13,883 sq mi (35,956 km²)
Greater Pibor Administrative Area - 12,010 sq mi (31,106 km²)

Most Populous States and Administrative Areas

Jonglei - Population: 1,900,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Central Equatoria - Population: 1,800,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Warrap - Population: 1,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Lakes - Population: 1,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Upper Nile - Population: 1,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Eastern Equatoria - Population: 1,100,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Northern Bahr el Ghazal - Population: 1,000,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Unity - Population: 900,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest States and Administrative Areas by Area

Ruweng Administrative Area - 3,960 sq mi (10,257 km²)
Abyei Administrative Area - 4,072 sq mi (10,546 km²)
Central Equatoria - 8,863 sq mi (22,956 km²)
Northern Bahr el Ghazal - 11,793 sq mi (30,543 km²)
Warrap - 11,980 sq mi (31,027 km²)
Greater Pibor Administrative Area - 12,010 sq mi (31,106 km²)

States by Geographic Grouping

Central Grasslands: Lakes
Central Wetlands: Jonglei
Eastern Plains: Greater Pibor Administrative Area
Northeastern Nile Basin: Upper Nile
North-Central South Sudan: Warrap
Northern Border Area: Abyei Administrative Area
Northern Oil Region: Ruweng Administrative Area
Northwestern Plains: Northern Bahr el Ghazal
Oil-Producing North: Unity
Southeastern Borderlands: Eastern Equatoria
Southern Highlands: Central Equatoria
Southwestern Forests: Western Equatoria
Western Forest Zone: Western Bahr el Ghazal

Landlocked States and Administrative Areas

All states and administrative areas of South Sudan are landlocked.

States Sharing Borders with Other Countries

Sudan: Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Abyei Administrative Area, Ruweng Administrative Area, Upper Nile
Ethiopia: Upper Nile, Jonglei
Kenya: Eastern Equatoria
Uganda: Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal
Central African Republic: Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria

Major Economic Activities by State

State / Area	Main Economic Activity	Known For
Central Equatoria	Government and trade	Juba and national administration
Unity	Oil production	Petroleum reserves and energy industry
Upper Nile	Oil and river trade	White Nile transportation and petroleum
Jonglei	Livestock and fishing	Sudd wetlands and cattle herding
Western Equatoria	Agriculture and forestry	Tropical forests and farming
Eastern Equatoria	Agriculture and livestock	Mountain landscapes and border trade

Important Natural and Cultural Areas

Sudd Wetlands: Jonglei and Unity
White Nile River: Upper Nile and Central Equatoria
Imatong Mountains: Eastern Equatoria
Boma National Park: Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area
Bandingilo National Park: Central Equatoria
Juba Metropolitan Area: Central Equatoria

Sources

World Countries and Capitals

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South Sudan States and Capitals List