5 Countries with the Largest Slum Population in the World

In this article, we take a look at the 5 countries with the largest slum population in the world. If you would like to take a detailed look at our analysis of slum housing, you can go to 20 Countries with the Largest Slum Population in the World.

5. Afghanistan

Total Urban Population (2020): 10,142,913
Percentage of Urban Population living in Slums (2020): 73%

According to a report by CGTN News, Kabul alone has around 30 slums, which house almost 75% of the capital city’s population. In total, approximately 7.4 million urban citizens in Afghanistan live in slum-like conditions. Harmed by decades of war, Afghanistan is home to one of the largest slum populations in the world.

4. Sudan

Total Urban Population (2020): 15,666,605
Percentage of Urban Population living in Slums (2020): 74%

The PSUP estimates that every fifth Sudanese lives in massive slums on the outskirts of Khartoum. The country has more than 11.5 million slum residents, which amounts to 74% of its total urban population.

3. Democratic Republic of Congo 

Total Urban Population (2020): 42,376,327
Percentage of Urban Population living in Slums (2020): 78%

According to PSUP, every three out of four urban residents in DRC live in slum-like conditions. The country has more than 33 million individuals dwelling in slums, who make up one of the world’s largest slum populations.

2. Chad

Total Urban Population (2020): 3,914,834
Percentage of Urban Population living in Slums (2020): 82%

Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa with a high prevalence of extreme poverty. 82% of Chad’s urban population currently lives in slums, which makes it one of the countries with the largest slum populations in the world.

1. South Sudan

Total Urban Population (2016): 2,112,741
Percentage of Urban Population living in Slums (2016): 94% 

South Sudan is currently home to the world’s largest slum population, with 94% of its urban population living in slum-like dwellings. The country suffers from extreme poverty, caused mainly by the extreme instability and conflict in the area. 

You can also look at the 20 Least Affordable Metros for Homebuyers in the US and the 15 Most Populated Cities in Asia.