Country Profile: South Sudan

South Sudan, the world's newest country, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is characterized by a rich tapestry of Nilotic ethnic groups. The nation’s geographic setting in East-Central Africa has endowed it with diverse natural resources, yet it remains largely dependent on agriculture and oil exports. Struggles with governance, marked by political conflicts and corruption, have led to ongoing humanitarian crises, with many citizens facing extreme poverty and food insecurity. The transitional government, formed in 2020, has been incrementally implementing a peace agreement aimed at establishing stability and preparing for future elections.

Geography

South Sudan is located in East-Central Africa, bordered by Sudan to the north, Uganda and Kenya to the south, and Ethiopia to the east. It occupies a total area of 644,329 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Texas. The country is landlocked, featuring a landscape dominated by plains and highlands, with the White Nile being a major geographic landmark. As a landlocked nation, South Sudan has no coastline and relies on its extensive river system for transportation and irrigation.

Total area: 644,329 sq km
Major rivers: White Nile, which is part of a watershed shared with multiple countries.
Climate: Hot with seasonal rainfall, influenced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.
Natural resources: Includes petroleum, fertile agricultural land, and minerals such as gold and diamonds.
Elevation: Highest point at 3,187 m (Mount Kinyeti).
Land use: 44.9% agricultural land, with 3.9% arable land as of 2023.

People and Society

As of 2024, South Sudan's population is estimated at 12,703,714, featuring a youthful demographic with a median age of 18.7 years. The society is predominantly composed of Nilotic ethnic groups, primarily the Dinka and Nuer, with various other ethnicities contributing to a rich cultural diversity. The country is officially multilingual, with English as the primary language, supplemented by Arabic and numerous ethnic languages. Despite these ethnic and cultural riches, South Sudan continues to face significant challenges, including high poverty rates, limited healthcare access, and ongoing violence.

Population: 12,703,714 (2024 est.)
Urbanization: 21.2% of the population lives in urban areas as of 2023.
Religions: Christian (60.5%), folk religions (32.9%), and Muslim (6.2%).
Birth rate: 35.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.).
Life expectancy: 60.3 years (2024 est.).
Youth dependency ratio: 76.1 (2024 est.).

Economy

South Sudan's economy is largely oil-based, facing stark challenges such as extreme poverty and food insecurity exacerbated by ongoing sociopolitical turmoil. The nation has rich natural resources, but infrastructure deficits and land rights issues hinder economic development. In 2023, the real GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $6.752 billion, with significant portions of the population below the poverty line and high unemployment rates affecting economic stability.

Real GDP (PPP): $6.752 billion (2023 est.).
GDP per capita: $400 (2023 est.).
Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2023 est.).
Public debt: 86.6% of GDP (2016 est.).
Exports (2023): $4.499 billion, primarily in crude petroleum and gold.
Inflation rate: 91.4% (2024 est.).

Government

South Sudan is a presidential republic with Salva Kiir serving as both the chief of state and head of government since its independence. The country is administratively divided into ten states and is governed by a transitional constitution. Despite establishing a transitional government in 2020 following a peace agreement, ongoing power struggles have delayed effective governance and elections, previously scheduled for 2026. Corruption and political conflict remain significant obstacles to stability and development.

Capital: Juba
Form of government: Presidential republic
Legislative assembly: Transitional National Legislative Assembly with 550 members (all appointed).
Next scheduled elections: December 2026.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Political parties: Includes SPLM, SPLM-IO, and several other alliances.

Military and Security

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) encompass land, air, and marine units, with ongoing efforts to unify various military factions. South Sudan's military is focused on border and internal security amid concerns over ongoing clashes and instability. In 2023, military expenditures were estimated at 2% of GDP, reflecting ongoing investments in security frameworks despite the country's limited resources.

Active military personnel: Estimated 150-200,000 (2025).
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2023 est.).
Military service age: 18-35 for voluntary military service.
UN presence: Approximately 18,000 UNMISS personnel deployed for peacekeeping.
Child soldiers: Thousands are reported to be involved in military roles despite government pledges to end the practice.

Energy

Energy access in South Sudan is significantly limited, with only 8.4% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The majority of electricity generation relies on fossil fuels, with a total installed capacity of 136,000 kW. Petroleum remains a key sector, with significant crude oil production contributing to the economy.

Electricity access: 8.4% of total population (2022 est.).
Total petroleum production: 146,000 bbl/day (2023 est.).
Electricity generation: 93.2% from fossil fuels (2023 est.).
Energy consumption per capita: 2.092 million Btu/person (2023 est.).

Environment

South Sudan faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. The nation is party to several international environmental agreements but struggles with effective implementation due to ongoing conflicts and governance issues. The climatic conditions contribute to the fragility of its ecosystems, making conservation efforts critical.

Major environmental issues: Water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Total water resources: 49.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).
Urban population: 21.2% as of 2023.
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.725 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).

Transportation

South Sudan has a limited transportation infrastructure, with 89 airports but only 248 km of railways, which are not fully operational. The country relies heavily on road networks for intra-country transport, compounded by seasonal flooding that affects accessibility.

Railways: 248 km (2018).
Airports: 89 (2025).
Civil aircraft registration code: Z8

Communications

The telecommunications sector in South Sudan is still developing, with mobile cellular subscriptions at 6.17 million as of 2023, but the fixed-line network is virtually absent. Internet penetration remains low, affecting information access and communication.

Mobile subscriptions: 6.17 million (2023 est.).
Internet users: 9% of the population (2022 est.).
Telephones - fixed lines: Negligible subscriptions reported for 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	12,703,714	2024 estimate
Area	644,329 sq km	Total area
Real GDP (PPP)	$6.752 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$400	2023 estimate
Unemployment rate	12.5%	2023 estimate
Birth rate	35.68 births/1,000 people	2025 estimate
Life expectancy	60.3 years	2024 estimate
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	2023 estimate
Electricity access	8.4%	2022 estimate
Urban population	21.2%	2023 estimate