South Sudan
Republic of South Sudan
Population
12.70M
Area
644,329 km²
GDP
$4.63B
GDP Per Capita
$400
Pop. Density
20/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
£South Sudanese pound(SSP)
Calling Code
+211
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Languages
English
Driving Side
right
Demonym
South Sudanese
Background
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is the world’s newest country. Home to a diverse array of mainly Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups that settled in the territory in the 15th through 19th centuries, South Sudanese society is heavily dependent on seasonal migration and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation. Modern-day South Sudan was conquered first by Egypt and later ruled jointly by Egyptian-British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. Christian missionaries helped spread the English language and Christianity in the area, leading to significant cultural differences with the northern part of Sudan, where Arabic and Islam are dominant. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, the southern region received assurances that it would participate fully in the political system. However, the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises, prompting two periods of civil war (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which as many as 2.5 million people died -- mostly civilians -- due largely to starvation and drought. The second Sudanese civil war was one of the deadliest since WWII and left southern Sudanese society devastated. Peace talks resulted in a US-backed Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, which granted the South six years of autonomy followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession.
Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. In 2013, conflict erupted between forces loyal to President Salva KIIR, a Dinka, and forces loyal to Vice President Riek MACHAR, a Nuer. The conflict quickly spread through the country along ethnic lines, killing tens of thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis with millions of South Sudanese displaced. KIIR and MACHAR signed a peace agreement in 2015 that created a Transitional Government of National Unity the next year. However, renewed fighting broke out in Juba between KIIR and MACHAR’s forces, plunging the country back into conflict and drawing in additional armed opposition groups. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in 2018, mostly ending the fighting and laying the groundwork for a unified national army, a transitional government, and elections. The transitional government was formed in 2020, when MACHAR returned to Juba as first vice president. Since 2020, implementation of the peace agreement has been stalled amid wrangling over power-sharing, which has contributed to an uptick in communal violence and the country’s worst food crisis since independence, with 7 of 11 million South Sudanese citizens in need of humanitarian assistance. The transitional period was extended an additional two years in 2022, pushing elections to late 2024.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↓17.7% since 2008Population
↑49.7% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 57.6 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography18
Location
East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates
8 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
land: NA
water: NA
Area - comparative
more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries
border countries: Central African Republic 1,055 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km; Ethiopia 1,299 km; Kenya 317 km; Sudan 2,158 km; Uganda 475 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north
Terrain
plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country
Elevation
lowest point: White Nile 381 m
Natural resources
hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
1,000 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km)
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Population distribution
clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map
Geography - note
landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile; its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands
People & Society27
Population
male: 6,476,341
female: 6,227,373
Nationality
adjective: South Sudanese
Ethnic groups
Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
Religions
Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 55.3% (male 3,568,064/female 3,458,804)
65 years and over: 2.6% (2024 est.) (male 182,757/female 149,534)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 76.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 21.1 (2024 est.)
Median age
male: 18.7 years
female: 18.7 years
Population growth rate
4.52% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
35.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
18.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
459,000 JUBA (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.22 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
692 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 65.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 54.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 58.4 years
female: 62.2 years
Total fertility rate
4.98 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.43 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 2.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.6% (2014)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 3.3% national budget (2015 est.)
Government22
Country name
conventional short form: South Sudan
etymology: self-descriptive name from the country's geographic position within Sudan prior to independence; the name Sudan derives from the Arabic balad-as-sudan, meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
geographic coordinates: 04 51 N, 31 37 E
time difference: UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name comes from the name of a small Bari village that was located near the present-day city
Administrative divisions
10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2010: Salva KIIR Mayardit elected leader of then-Southern Sudan; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7%
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
number of seats
scope of elections
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
number of seats
scope of elections
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for the establishment of a Judicial Service Council to recommend prospective justices to the president, and for the justices' tenures to be set by the National Legislature
subordinate courts: national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals
Political parties
Democratic Forum or DF
Labour Party or LPSS
South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA
Sudan African National Union or SANU
Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO
United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF
United South Sudan African Party or USSAP
United South Sudan Party or USSP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery: 1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 600-2238
FAX: [1] (202) 644-9910
email address and website:
info.ssdembassy@gmail.com
https://www.ssembassydc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba
mailing address: 4420 Juba Place, Washington DC 20521-4420
telephone: [211] 912-105-188
email address and website:
ACSJuba@state.gov
https://ss.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
AU, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO
Independence
9 July 2011 (from Sudan)
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 July (2011)
Flag
meaning: black stands for the people, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for the land, and blue for the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the country's states
National symbol(s)
African fish eagle
National color(s)
red, green, blue, yellow, black, white
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: collective/Mido SAMUEL and Juba University students
history: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest
Economy27
Economic overview
low-income, oil-based Sahelian economy; extreme poverty and food insecurity; COVID-19 and ongoing violence threaten socioeconomic potential; environmentally fragile; ongoing land and property rights issues; natural resource rich but lacks infrastructure
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $6.585 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $6.945 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2016: -13.9% (2016 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2015: -10.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022: $400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $400 (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.629 billion (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: -6.7% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 33.1% (2015 est.)
services: 56.6% (2015 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, cassava, sorghum, goat milk, vegetables, fruits, groundnuts, sesame seeds, beef, maize (2023)
Industrial production growth rate
-36.8% (2015 est.)
Labor force
5.091 million (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022: 12.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2021: 14.1% (2021 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 19.4% (2023 est.)
female: 17.6% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
82.3% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 33% (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2014: 0% of GDP (2014 est.)
Remittances 2013: 0% of GDP (2013 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $1.984 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: -$596.748 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$6.55 million (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $5.811 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $4.652 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 51%, Singapore 29%, UAE 10%, Germany 4%, Uganda 3% (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, forage crops, gold, scrap iron (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $6.402 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $4.037 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Uganda 33%, UAE 26%, Kenya 14%, China 10%, USA 3% (2023)
Imports - commodities
garments, cement, other foods, iron bars, cereal flours (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $94.914 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $341.932 million (2021 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy6
Electricity access
electrification - urban areas: 15%
electrification - rural areas: 1.7%
Electricity
consumption: 566.034 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 23.966 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 3.75 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
1 state-controlled TV channel and radio station; several community and commercial FM stations, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts available (2019)
Internet country code
.ss
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Z8
Airports
89 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Railways
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Ministry of Interior: South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information varies; estimated 150-200,000 active Defense Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the SSPDF inventory is a mix of primarily of Soviet-era armaments alongside limited quantities of more modern equipment such as armored personnel carriers from UAE (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 (legal minimum age)-35 for voluntary military service for men and women; 12-24 months service (2025)
Military - note
the SSPDF, formerly the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), was founded as a guerrilla movement against the Sudanese Government in 1983 and participated in the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005); the Juba Declaration that followed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 unified the SPLA and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF), the second-largest rebel militia remaining from the civil war, under the SPLA name; in 2017, the SPLA was renamed the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and in September 2018 was renamed again as the SSPDF
the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS has about 18,000 personnel assigned; the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; its mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA has approximately 3,800 personnel assigned (2025)
Transnational Issues2
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 1,359,795 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 18,000 (2024 est.)