Isaiah Chol, Chairperson, National Bureau of Statistics/Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

The Population Estimate Survey launched this week has projected Warrap State as the most populous state as Jonglei plunges to fifth position.

The survey data released by the National Bureau of Statistics put the country’s population at 12.4 million people – including internally displaced persons.

The survey put Warrap’s population at 2.6 million people – an increase of 1.6 million people from the 2008 Population and Housing Census.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal is the second highest populous state with 1.9 million people, Central Equatoria is ranked third with 1.3 million and Lakes is fourth with 1.2 million people.

Meanwhile, Jonglei has 791,000 people while its breakaway Pibor Administrative Area has 240,000 people.

The current population estimate for Jonglei and Pibor combined is less than that of the 2008 housing census by 327,000 people.

Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State has 982,000, Unity State has 892,000, Upper Nile State has 790,000 people, Ruweng Administrative Area has 234,000, and Abyei Administrative Area has 134,000 people.

Western Bahr el Ghazal State and Western Equatoria State have been ranked as the least populous state with only 562,000 people and 663,000 people respectively.

The population estimate survey was conducted from May-June 2021 in all ten states and three administrative areas.

It was designed based on satellite-derived information and a system of equally sized grid squares.

Isaiah Chol Aruai, the Chairperson of the Bureau of Statistics said the survey was intended to generate a reliable modeled population estimate on population density and basic demographic characteristics for all levels of administration.

He however said the estimate will not be used as a basis to roll out elections because it doesn’t include the more than 2 million South Sudanese refugees.