South Sudan flag

South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan

Capital

Juba

Region

Africa

Population

15,786,898

Area (km²)

619,745

💡Quick Summary

South Sudan, Africa's youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and sits in East-Central Africa with Juba as its bustling capital, covering 619,745 km² of diverse landscapes from savannas to swamps. Home to around 15.8 million people, it's rich in oil but grapples with ongoing civil conflicts and economic instability, with GDP figures currently unavailable. Despite challenges, its cultural mosaic of over 60 ethnic groups and untapped natural resources hint at future potential.

Key Insights

Highly Rural Population Structure

Only about one-fifth (21.07%) of South Sudan's population resides in urban areas. This high degree of rurality impacts service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic diversification, making the country highly dependent on primary sectors like agriculture.

Low Life Expectancy and High Fertility Pressure

The combination of a low life expectancy (57.62 years) and a relatively high fertility rate (3.86 children per woman) suggests ongoing demographic challenges related to high mortality and rapid population growth, straining limited resources and infrastructure.

High Unemployment Despite Economic Data Gaps

South Sudan reports a high unemployment rate of nearly 12.5%, which is notable given the substantial missing data for key economic indicators like GDP and GDP per capita. This suggests significant underutilization of the labor force amidst broader economic instability and lack of robust national accounting.

High Infant Mortality Reflects Health Crisis

The infant mortality rate in South Sudan is critically high at 72.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure is significantly higher than global and most regional averages, indicating severe deficiencies in maternal health care, sanitation, and pediatric services.

Economic Indicators
Latest economic data from World Bank

GDP (Current US$)

$N/A

Year: 2023

GDP Per Capita

$N/A

GDP Growth (%)

N/A%

Inflation (%)

2.38%

Unemployment (%)

12.48%

Debt to GDP (%)

N/A%

Source: World Bank • Last updated: 12/24/2025

Historical Trends & Data Visualizations

GDP Growth Rate
Annual percentage change in GDP over time
20142015-12.00%-8.00%-4.00%0.00%4.00%
  • GDP Growth (%)
Population Growth
Total population over time
201420152016201720182019202020212022202303,000,0006,000,0009,000,00012,000,000
  • Population
Life Expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth (years)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230.0years15.0years30.0years45.0years60.0years
  • Life Expectancy (years)
Renewable Energy Consumption
Percentage of total energy from renewable sources
201420152016201720182019202020210.0%9.0%18.0%27.0%36.0%
  • Renewable Energy (%)
GDP Per Capita
Economic output per person (current US$)
20142015$0$350$700$1,050$1,400
  • GDP Per Capita ($)

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