Country Profile: Sudan

Sudan, located in northeastern Africa, is bordered by the Red Sea and shares its borders with several countries, including Egypt and South Sudan. The nation is characterized by a hot and dry climate, predominantly consisting of flat terrain and desert landscapes, with most of its population concentrated along the Nile River. Its economy, heavily impacted by ongoing civil conflict, is primarily agrarian, with agriculture accounting for a significant portion of employment and GDP. Sudan has experienced political instability since gaining independence in 1956, marked by a series of military regimes and recent turmoil following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

Geography

Sudan covers a total area of 1,861,484 sq km, making it slightly less than one-fifth the size of the United States. It features a predominantly flat terrain, with the Nile River being the primary water source. The country has a varied climate, with a hot and dry arid desert in the north and a rainy season that varies by region.

6,819 km of land borders with neighboring countries.
853 km of coastline along the Red Sea.
Highest point: Jabal Marrah at 3,042 m.
Majority of agricultural land: 60.3% as of 2023.
11.2% of agricultural land is arable as of 2023.

People and Society

As of 2024, Sudan's population is estimated to be 50,467,278, with a relatively youthful demographic—40.1% are aged between 0-14 years. The population is ethnically diverse, consisting of approximately 70% Sudanese Arab, alongside various other ethnic groups. The official languages are Arabic and English, reflecting the nation’s colonial history and cultural influences.

36.3% of the population resides in urban areas as of 2023.
Life expectancy is approximately 67.8 years as of 2024, with a significant gap between males (65.5 years) and females (70.2 years).
Birth rate stands at 32.95 births/1,000 population as of 2025.
Approximately 11% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2023.

Economy

Sudan's economy is classified as low-income and has been severely affected by ongoing civil strife. The GDP, adjusted for purchasing power parity, is estimated at $94.42 billion in 2024, reflecting a significant decline due to conflict-induced hyperinflation and disruption of agricultural and industrial production.

Real GDP growth rate estimated at -13.5% for 2024.
Agriculture contributes about 22.1% to the GDP as of 2024.
Major exports include crude petroleum, gold, and oil seeds.
80.7% of the GDP comes from household consumption as of 2024.

Government

Sudan is a presidential republic, currently led by General Abd-al-Fattah al-Burhan, who serves as both the head of state and government. The political system has undergone significant changes, particularly since the 2019 coup that ousted long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir, resulting in a complex power-sharing arrangement between military and civilian leaders.

The legislative body, the Transitional Legislative Council, has not yet been established.
Suffrage is universal for citizens aged 17 years and older.
The country has seen multiple drafts of its constitution, with recent amendments made in 2020.

Military and Security

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) includes ground, naval, and air forces, with additional paramilitary units like the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The military's dominance in governance continues amid ongoing conflicts that have emerged since 2023, particularly between the SAF and RSF.

Military expenditures represent 1% of the GDP as of 2021.
Estimated personnel strengths pre-conflict indicated up to 200,000 SAF and 100,000 RSF.
The SAF's arms include a mix of Chinese and Russian weaponry, alongside locally manufactured equipment.

Energy

Electricity access in Sudan remains limited, with only 63.2% of the population having access as of 2022. The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power, which accounts for 68.7% of total installed capacity.

Electricity consumption was approximately 13.983 billion kWh in 2023.
Total petroleum production stands at 68,000 bbl/day as of 2023.
29.9% of installed capacity is derived from fossil fuels.

Environment

Sudan faces numerous environmental challenges, including water scarcity, pollution, and desertification. The agricultural land use is significant, with 60.3% as of 2023, yet struggles with issues like soil erosion and deforestation.

Annual carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at 18.242 million metric tonnes for 2023.
Only 12% of land is forested as of 2023.
Sudan is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

Transportation

Sudan's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of railways, roads, and airports. As of 2025, there are 45 airports and 7,251 km of railway track primarily used for goods transport.

The country has 14 merchant marine vessels.
4 major ports facilitate maritime trade, with oil terminals at key locations.
8 heliports are operational as of 2025.

Communications

Telecommunications in Sudan are evolving, with 34.7 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2022, though fixed-line services remain limited. Internet access is growing, though usage was about 26% of the population in 2020.

156,000 fixed-line subscriptions were recorded in 2022.
30,000 fixed broadband subscriptions exist as of 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	50,467,278	2024 estimate
Area	1,861,484 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$94.42 billion	2024 estimate
Energy consumption per capita	6.145 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth rate	32.95 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Unemployment rate	11.45%	2023 estimate
Life expectancy	67.8 years	2024 estimate
Military expenditures	1% of GDP	2021 estimate
Electrification rate	63.2%	2022 estimate