15% of South Sulawesi's population resided in Makassar City at the end of 2023.

Based on population data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the population of South Sulawesi reached 9.4 million at the end of 2023.

Makassar City is the most populous area in South Sulawesi, with 1.47 million inhabitants (15.68%) of the total population.

Next is Bone Regency with a population of 820,510 (8.73%), Gowa Regency with 800,000 (8.51%), and Bulukumba Regency with 471,690 (5.02%).

Meanwhile, Selayar Islands Regency is the regency/city with the smallest population, at only 142,100 (1.51%).

Administratively, South Sulawesi is divided into 3 cities and 21 regencies, with 15 districts comprising 153 urban villages.

Based on marital status, 46.08% of South Sulawesi's population is married, while 48.22% are unmarried. The population with divorced and widowed statuses reached 1.41% and 4.29%, respectively.

The following is a list of the 24 regencies/cities in South Sulawesi according to Dukcapil at the end of 2023.

1. Makassar City: 1.47 million (15.68%)
2. Bone Regency: 820,510 (8.73%)
3. Gowa Regency: 800,000 (8.51%)
4. Bulukumba Regency: 471,690 (5.02%)
5. Jeneponto Regency: 420,120 (4.47%)
6. Pinrang Regency: 417,930 (4.45%)
7. Wajo Regency: 407,870 (4.34%)
8. Maros Regency: 398,870 (4.24%)
9. Luwu Regency: 380,680 (4.05%)
10. Pangkajene and Islands Regency: 357,850 (3.81%)
11. North Luwu Regency: 333,130 (3.54%)
12. Sidenreng Rappang Regency: 326,330 (3.47%)
13. Takalar Regency: 326,040 (3.47%)
14. East Luwu Regency: 313,400 (3.33%)
15. Sinjai Regency: 273,560 (2.91%)
16. North Toraja Regency: 261,650 (2.78%)
17. Tana Toraja Regency: 257,900 (2.74%)
18. Soppeng Regency: 240,960 (2.56%)
19. Enrekang Regency: 231,300 (2.46%)
20. Bantaeng Regency: 211,620 (2.25%)
21. Barru Regency: 194,540 (2.07%)
22. Palopo City: 177,530 (1.89%)
23. Parepare City: 160,310 (1.71%)
24. Selayar Islands Regency: 142,100 (1.51%)