Country Profile: South Sudan

South Sudan, the world's newest country, gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. It is located in East-Central Africa, bordered by six nations and characterized by diverse geographical features, including the vast swampy area known as The Sudd. The country is home to a population of over 12 million, primarily consisting of Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups. Economically, it relies heavily on oil exports while facing challenges such as extreme poverty and food insecurity, compounded by corruption and internal conflict affecting governance and stability.

Geography

South Sudan is situated in East-Central Africa, bordering Sudan to the north, Uganda and Kenya to the south, and Ethiopia to the east. The nation's total area spans 644,329 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Texas. Known for its extensive plains and highlands, the White Nile River is the country's major geographical feature, with the Sudd representing one of the largest wetlands globally.

6,018 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
0 km: South Sudan is landlocked with no access to coastlines.
3,187 m: Kinyeti, the highest point in South Sudan.
44.9%: Proportion of land used for agricultural purposes (2023 est.).

People and Society

The estimated population of South Sudan is 12,703,714 as of 2024, with a diverse ethnic composition primarily consisting of Dinka (35-40%) and Nuer (15%). The majority of the population follows Christianity (60.5%), with Arabic and various ethnic languages also spoken. The country has a young demographic, with a median age of 18.7 years.

42.1%: Population aged 0-14 years.
21.2%: Urban population (2023).
4.52%: Projected annual population growth rate (2025 est.).
35.68 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2025 est.).

Economy

South Sudan’s economy is marked as low-income and heavily reliant on oil, facing severe challenges from extreme poverty and food insecurity. In 2023, the GDP stood at approximately $6.752 billion (PPP), with a per capita GDP of $400. The country faces infrastructural deficits despite being rich in natural resources.

82.3%: Population below the poverty line (2016 est.).
12.5%: Unemployment rate (2023 est.).
$4.499 billion: Total exports expected in 2023.
2%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).

Government

South Sudan operates as a presidential republic, with Salva KIIR Mayardit serving as both the president and head of government since independence. The government has faced challenges in establishing stability and effective governance, compounded by ongoing political conflicts and corruption. The country is divided into 10 states.

10 states: Administrative divisions.
18 years: Legal voting age.
550: Seats in the lower legislative chamber (all appointed).

Military and Security

The South Sudan People's Defense Force (SSPDF) includes various branches and is primarily tasked with national security. Military expenditures are consistently reported at 2% of GDP. The country contends with numerous armed groups and ongoing concerns about internal security.

150,000-200,000: Estimated active Defense Forces (2025).
2%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP.
18,000: UN personnel deployed for peacekeeping missions.

Energy

Energy access in South Sudan is critically low, with only 8.4% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country produces oil and relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, comprising 93.2% of total capacity.

146,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 est.).
566.034 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023).
136,000 kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).

Environment

Environmental challenges in South Sudan include deforestation, soil erosion, and limited access to potable water. The country has signed several international environmental agreements, although issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change remain pressing.

49.5 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
1.725 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).
44.9%: Land used for agriculture (2023 est.).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure is limited, with a small number of functional airports and railways. The country has 89 airports and a rail system that is currently not operational, underscoring the need for improved connectivity.

248 km: Total railway length (2018).
2: Heliports (2025).

Communications

With low telecommunication penetration, South Sudan has limited fixed-line services but a mobile cellular subscription base of 6.17 million. Internet access remains low, with only 9% of the population using the internet.

0: Fixed-line subscriptions (2023).
30/100 inhabitants: Mobile subscriptions per population as of 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	12,703,714 (2024 est.)
Area	644,329 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$6.752 billion (2023)
Electricity access	8.4%	(2022 est.)
Unemployment rate	12.5%	(2023 est.)
Birth rate	35.68 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy	60.3 years	(2024 est.)
Population growth rate	4.52%	(2025 est.)
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Urban population	21.2%	(2023 est.)