The 340,000 figure corresponds to the 2008 census count (340,940) for El-Obeid, which is the last census conducted in Sudan; it is now roughly 18 years old.
Recent independent estimates, all published before the session date, put the city's population at around 500,000 (IOM) to more than 600,000 before the war (Le Monde), and 563,354 for 2026 (World Population Review), i.e. 50-75% higher than the claimed figure.
The civil war has caused major population flux: many residents fled while large numbers of IDPs arrived, so all current figures are estimates rather than census counts.
The underestimation of population may understate the scale of the humanitarian crisis affecting the city.
Sources
PrimaryInternational Organization for Migration (IOM)El Obeid now hosts around 500,000 people, including more than 83,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Repeated arrivals are placing mounting pressure on ...
SecondaryLe Monde (Le Monde Africa)Before the war, more than 600,000 people lived in El-Obeid. Much of the population fled, only for the city to fill again with hundreds of [thousands of displaced].
SecondaryWorld Population ReviewEl Obeid's 2026 population is now estimated at 563,354. In 1973, the population of El Obeid was 90,073. El Obeid has grown by 15,129 in the last year.
TertiaryMapy.com (OpenStreetMap-derived city profile)In 2008, the population was 340,940. It is a transportation hub with a rail line, roads, and caravan routes, including a pilgrim route from Nigeria.