South Sudan Counts: 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census - 2008
Detailed tables from the 2008 census conducted in Southern Sudan before the 2011 independence referendum. This publication provides comprehensive demographic data for all 10 states of Southern Sudan.
South Sudan Census Key Findings
Total Population
8,260,490
Male Population
4,287,300
Female Population
3,973,190
Population Under 18
4,187,874
About the Southern Sudan Census 2008
The 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census was conducted in April-May 2008 as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) milestones. This publication focuses exclusively on Southern Sudan data collected during this census.
The census was implemented by the Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation (SSCCSE) in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). It provides the most comprehensive demographic data for Southern Sudan before independence.
Publication Details
- Publication Date: November 19, 2010
- Geographic coverage: All 10 states of Southern Sudan
- Data source: Short Form Questionnaire (SFQ) and Long Form Questionnaire (LFQ)
- Total households enumerated: 1.28 million households
Urban/Rural Distribution
Census Implementation in Southern Sudan
Implementation Phases
Pre-enumeration Phase
January 2005 - April 2008
Institutional capacity building, enumeration area mapping, and planning
Enumeration Phase
April 22 - May 6, 2008
Field data collection across all 10 states of Southern Sudan
Post-enumeration Phase
May 2008 - Ongoing
Data capture, editing, verification, and tabulation
Publication Release
November 19, 2010
Southern Sudan Counts tables published
Methodology & Challenges
Questionnaire Design
Short Form (10 questions) for all households + Long Form (detailed modules) for 10% sample
Field Staff
14,252 temporary field staff recruited and trained
Key Challenges
Early rains, insecurity, transport difficulties, and boundary disputes
Technical Support
UNFPA coordination, USCB technical assistance, MDTF funding
Census Data & Results
Population Distribution by Age and Sex
Key Demographic Indicators
Related Resources
Historical Context
The 2008 census was conducted as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) milestones. It was the first comprehensive census in Southern Sudan since the 1983 census and provided crucial baseline data for the 2011 independence referendum.