Sudanese minister says war has ‘profoundly reshaped’ nation’s demographics

What Happened

On World Population Day, 11 July, Sudanese Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Mutasim Ahmed Saleh told Al Jazeera Arabic that over three years of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had ‘profoundly reshaped’ the country’s demographics. The conflict has displaced more than 11 million people, killed an estimated 200,000, and pushed large numbers into South Darfur, North Darfur, and Central Darfur states, as well as into Egypt, South Sudan, and Chad. Saleh noted a general increase in poverty, loss of income, deterioration of basic services, and a decline in the labour market and human capital. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that about 4.1 million people had returned to their areas of origin, with the total number of internally displaced persons falling 23 percent from the January 2025 peak of nearly 12 million. Saleh said the government would work with partners to strengthen population policies, link them to social protection programmes, and promote the voluntary return of refugees and the reintegration of displaced people, describing human capital as the ‘cornerstone of national recovery and sustainable development.’

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The demographic upheaval—mass displacement, loss of income, and the exodus of skilled professionals—undermines Sudan’s long-term economic viability and social cohesion. With roughly 70 percent of the population under 30, the pre-war demographic dividend has been squandered, and rebuilding human capital is now critical for any post-conflict recovery. The government’s focus on population policy hints at a political framing of reconstruction, but ongoing fighting and devastated economic infrastructure make implementation uncertain.

Watch For

Monitor the SAF-led government’s rollout of population policies through the National Population Council and any concrete steps toward voluntary return and reintegration programmes. Track IOM and UN OCHA updates on the sustainability of returns, especially in areas lacking economic infrastructure. Pay attention to calls for accurate demographic data to guide post-war planning, as highlighted by analysts.