Country Profile: Sudan

Sudan, located in north-eastern Africa, is bordered by the Red Sea and shares its land boundaries with several countries, including Egypt and South Sudan. The nation has a diverse population of approximately 50 million, predominantly consisting of Sudanese Arabs alongside numerous ethnic groups. The economy is currently struggling due to the ongoing civil war, which has led to hyperinflation, currency depreciation, and significant humanitarian challenges. The governance structure is a presidential republic, currently led by military figures following recent political upheaval.

Geography

Sudan covers an area of about 1,861,484 sq km, making it slightly less than one-fifth the size of the United States. The country's terrain is mainly flat, dominated by deserts in the north, while the Nile River serves as the principal water source. The climate is predominantly hot and dry, with a rainy season varying by region.

853 km of coastline along the Red Sea
Borders 6,819 km with Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan
60.3% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.)
Major rivers include the Nile, with a total length of 6,650 km

People and Society

As of 2024, Sudan has an estimated population of 50,467,278, with a slight majority of males. The population comprises over 500 ethnic groups, with Sudanese Arabs making up approximately 70% of the total population. The primary languages spoken are Arabic and English, and the dominant religion is Sunni Islam.

40.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years
The median age is 19.3 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth is 67.8 years (2024 est.)
36.3% of the population is urbanized (2023)

Economy

Sudan's economy is classified as a low-income Sahel economy, severely impacted by civil war, resulting in hyperinflation and a declining GDP. The real GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $94.42 billion in 2024, reflecting a sharp decline due to the ongoing conflict.

Real GDP per capita is approximately $1,900 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate is 11.45% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate reached 138.8% in 2022
22.1% of GDP originates from agriculture (2024 est.)

Government

Sudan is a presidential republic with a complex governance structure characterized by military rule following the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Currently, General Abd-al-Fatah al-Burhan serves as the de facto head of state. The legal system is a mix of Islamic law and English common law, and there have been significant changes to the constitution and governance structure since the military coup in 2021.

18 states (wilayat) administered within the country
Next elections have yet to be defined, originally expected in 2022 or 2023
Citizenship is by descent only, and dual citizenship is not recognized

Military and Security

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) comprise ground, naval, and air forces and are supplemented by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group. Military expenditures are estimated at 1% of GDP for 2021, reflecting the country’s focus on security amid ongoing civil unrest.

Estimated 200,000 personnel in the SAF
Fighting erupted in 2023 between the SAF and RSF, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur
Numerous armed militias operate throughout the country

Energy

Sudan's energy landscape relies heavily on fossil fuels and hydropower, with an installed generating capacity of 3.815 million kW. Electricity access in urban areas is relatively high at 84%, but only 49.4% in rural locations.

Total petroleum production is about 68,000 bbl/day (2023)
63.2% of the population has access to electricity (2022 est.)
Hydroelectricity constitutes 68.7% of total installed capacity (2023)

Environment

Sudan faces significant environmental challenges, including water scarcity, pollution, and desertification. The country's climate is hot and dry, with an arid desert dominating the northern regions.

Issues include soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity
Participates in various international environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement
60.3% of land is used for agriculture (2023)

Transportation

Sudan's transportation infrastructure includes 45 airports and a railway network totaling 7,251 km. The country has 14 merchant marine vessels and various ports, key for trade and resource transport.

Major ports include Port Sudan, Sawakin Harbor, and the Al Khair Oil Terminal
8 heliports are operational (2025 est.)

Communications

The communications sector in Sudan is developing, with approximately 34.7 million mobile cellular subscriptions. However, internet access remains limited, with about 26% of the population being internet users.

156,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022)
30,000 broadband fixed subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	50,467,278 (2024 est.)
Area	1,861,484 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$94.42 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	11.45% (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	33.1 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	67.8 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditure	1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Electricity Access	63.2% (2022 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	6.145 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate	40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)