World · permanent entity record · OD

South Sudan

Thirty-second orientation

South Sudan at a glance

Capital: Juba; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 12,188,788; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 644,329 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: South Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective: South Sudanese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

South Sudan through time

2011-07-14
Admitted to the United Nations
South Sudan became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	12,188,788World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 12,703,714 (2024 est.) male: 6,476,341 female: 6,227,373CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-13

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $12.0 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2015 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2015; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $1,080; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2015 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2015; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 57.7 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 21.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 5.4%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 6.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2019 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2019; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: ITU estimate., Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Juba; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 644,329 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 12,188,788; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: South Sudanese pounds (SSP); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: South Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective: South Sudanese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 2011-07-14; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: black, red, green, white, gold, blue; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: African fish eagle; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Kinyeti · 10,456 ft (3,187 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: White Nile · 1,250 ft (381 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-13 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is the world’s newest country. Home to a diverse array of mainly Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups that settled in the territory in the 15th through 19th centuries, South Sudanese society is heavily dependent on seasonal migration and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation. Modern-day South Sudan was conquered first by Egypt and later ruled jointly by Egyptian-British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. Christian missionaries helped spread the English language and Christianity in the area, leading to significant cultural differences with the northern part of Sudan, where Arabic and Islam are dominant. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, the southern region received assurances that it would participate fully in the political system. However, the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises, prompting two periods of civil war (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which as many as 2.5 million people died -- mostly civilians -- due largely to starvation and drought. The second Sudanese civil war was one of the deadliest since WWII and left southern Sudanese society devastated. Peace talks resulted in a US-backed Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, which granted the South six years of autonomy followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. In 2013, conflict erupted between forces loyal to President Salva KIIR, a Dinka, and forces loyal to Vice President Riek MACHAR, a Nuer. The conflict quickly spread through the country along ethnic lines, killing tens of thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis with millions of South Sudanese displaced. KIIR and MACHAR signed a peace agreement in 2015 that created a Transitional Government of National Unity the next year. However, renewed fighting broke out in Juba between KIIR and MACHAR’s forces, plunging the country back into conflict and drawing in additional armed opposition groups. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in 2018, mostly ending the fighting and laying the groundwork for a unified national army, a transitional government, and elections. The transitional government was formed in 2020, when MACHAR returned to Juba as first vice president. Since 2020, implementation of the peace agreement has been stalled amid wrangling over power-sharing, which has contributed to an uptick in communal violence and the country’s worst food crisis since independence, with 7 of 11 million South Sudanese citizens in need of humanitarian assistance. The transitional period was extended an additional two years in 2022, pushing elections to late 2024.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 30 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Area: total : 644,329 sq km land: NA water: NA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Area - comparative: more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land boundaries: total: 6,018 km border countries (6): Central African Republic 1,055 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km; Ethiopia 1,299 km; Kenya 317 km; Sudan 2,158 km; Uganda 475 km note: South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Climate: hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Terrain: plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Elevation: highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m lowest point: White Nile 381 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Natural resources: hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 40.8% (2023 est.) forest: 11.3% (2023 est.) other: 43.8% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population distribution: clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile; its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

People and Society27 fields

Population: total: 12,703,714 (2024 est.) male: 6,476,341 female: 6,227,373; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Nationality: noun: South Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: South Sudanese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Ethnic groups: Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.) note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Religions: Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 2,725,520/female 2,619,035) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 3,568,064/female 3,458,804) 65 years and over: 2.6% (2024 est.) (male 182,757/female 149,534); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 80.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 76.1 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 21.1 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Median age: total: 18.7 years (2025 est.) male: 18.7 years female: 18.7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population growth rate: 4.52% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Birth rate: 35.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Net migration rate: 18.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population distribution: clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 21.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major urban areas - population: 459,000 JUBA (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.22 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 692 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 58.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 65.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.1 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.3 years (2024 est.) male: 58.4 years female: 62.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total fertility rate: 4.98 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 2.43 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 70% of population (2022 est.) rural: 33.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 41.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 30% of population (2022 est.) rural: 66.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 58.8% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Health expenditure: 5.9% of GDP (2021) 2.1% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Physician density: 0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 60.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 15.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 24.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 39.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 84.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 75.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 6.6% (2014); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Education expenditure: 1.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 3.3% national budget (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; drought; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Climate: hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 40.8% (2023 est.) forest: 11.3% (2023 est.) other: 43.8% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 21.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 20.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 59.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 696 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 120.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 12.7 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.681 million tons (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 193 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 225 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 240 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total renewable water resources: 49.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Government22 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Sudan conventional short form: South Sudan etymology: self-descriptive name from the country's geographic position within Sudan prior to independence; the name Sudan derives from the Arabic balad-as-sudan, meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Capital: name: Juba geographic coordinates: 04 51 N, 31 37 E time difference: UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name comes from the name of a small Bari village that was located near the present-day city; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Administrative divisions: 10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria note: in 2015, 28 new states were created, and 4 additional states in 2017; after the 2020 peace agreement, the country was again reorganized into the 10 original states, plus 2 administrative areas, Pibor and Ruweng, and 1 special administrative status area, Abyei (which is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Constitution: history: previous 2005 (pre-independence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011) amendment process: proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011) head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011) cabinet: National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 11-15 April 2010 election results: 2010: Salva KIIR Mayardit elected leader of then-Southern Sudan; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7% expected date of next election: scheduled for 2015 but has been postponed multiple times, currently to be held in December 2026 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Législature nationale (National Legislature) legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: Transitional National Legislative Assembly (Al-Majlis Al-Tachirii) number of seats: 550 (all appointed) scope of elections: full renewal most recent election date: 5/10/2021 percentage of women in chamber: 32.4% expected date of next election: December 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Council of States (Al-Watani) number of seats: 100 (all appointed) scope of elections: full renewal most recent election date: 8/2/2021 percentage of women in chamber: 32.1% expected date of next election: December 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of South Sudan (consists of a chief justice, deputy chief justice, and 5 additional justices); the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for 9, rather than 5 additional justices judge selection and term of office: the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for the establishment of a Judicial Service Council to recommend prospective justices to the president, and for the justices' tenures to be set by the National Legislature subordinate courts: national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals note: in mid-2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an ad-hoc judiciary committee, a 12-member body led by two eminent jurists, that is charged with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reform, and restructuring the judiciary; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Political parties: Democratic Change or DC Democratic Forum or DF Labour Party or LPSS South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA Sudan African National Union or SANU Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF United South Sudan African Party or USSAP United South Sudan Party or USSP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Santino Fardol Watod DICKEN (since 18 September 2024) chancery: 1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 600-2238 FAX: [1] (202) 644-9910 email address and website: info.ssdembassy@gmail.com https://www.ssembassydc.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. ADLER (since 24 August 2022) embassy: Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba mailing address: 4420 Juba Place, Washington DC 20521-4420 telephone: [211] 912-105-188 email address and website: ACSJuba@state.gov https://ss.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
International organization participation: AU, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Independence: 9 July 2011 (from Sudan); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 July (2011); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a five-pointed gold star is in the middle of a blue isosceles triangle based on the left side meaning: black stands for the people, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for the land, and blue for the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the country's states note 1: similar to the flag of Kenya note 2: South Sudan has one of two national flags that display six colors as part of the primary design -- the other is South Africa's; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National symbol(s): African fish eagle; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National color(s): red, green, blue, yellow, black, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National anthem(s): title: "South Sudan Oyee!" (South Sudan, Hooray!) lyrics/music: collective/Mido SAMUEL and Juba University students history: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Economy27 fields

Economic overview: low-income, oil-based Sahelian economy; extreme poverty and food insecurity; COVID-19 and ongoing violence threaten socioeconomic potential; environmentally fragile; ongoing land and property rights issues; natural resource rich but lacks infrastructure; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.752 billion (2023 est.) $6.585 billion (2022 est.) $6.945 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP growth rate: -5.2% (2017 est.) -13.9% (2016 est.) -10.8% (2015 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP per capita: $400 (2023 est.) $400 (2022 est.) $400 (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $4.629 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 91.4% (2024 est.) 2.4% (2023 est.) -6.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.4% (2015 est.) industry: 33.1% (2015 est.) services: 56.6% (2015 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Agricultural products: milk, cassava, sorghum, goat milk, vegetables, fruits, groundnuts, sesame seeds, beef, maize (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Industrial production growth rate: -36.8% (2015 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Labor force: 5.091 million (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2023 est.) 12.6% (2022 est.) 14.1% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 18.5% (2023 est.) male: 19.4% (2023 est.) female: 17.6% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population below poverty line: 82.3% (2016 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44 (2016 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% (2016 est.) highest 10%: 33% (2016 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Remittances: 9.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 0% of GDP (2014 est.) 0% of GDP (2013 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Budget: revenues: $2.513 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $1.984 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Public debt: 86.6% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Current account balance: $577.9 million (2023 est.) -$596.748 million (2022 est.) -$6.55 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports: $4.499 billion (2023 est.) $5.811 billion (2022 est.) $4.652 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports - partners: China 51%, Singapore 29%, UAE 10%, Germany 4%, Uganda 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, forage crops, gold, scrap iron (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports: $4.443 billion (2023 est.) $6.402 billion (2022 est.) $4.037 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports - partners: Uganda 33%, UAE 26%, Kenya 14%, China 10%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports - commodities: garments, cement, other foods, iron bars, cereal flours (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $72.881 million (2023 est.) $94.914 million (2022 est.) $341.932 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exchange rates: South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar - 2,163.104 (2024 est.) 930.331 (2023 est.) 534.511 (2022 est.) 306.355 (2021 est.) 165.907 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 8.4% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 15% electrification - rural areas: 1.7%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 136,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 566.034 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 23.966 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Coal: imports: 100 metric tons (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 146,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 3.75 billion barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 2.092 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 0 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6.17 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Broadcast media: 1 state-controlled TV channel and radio station; several community and commercial FM stations, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts available (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Internet country code: .ss; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 0 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Transportation4 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: Z8; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Airports: 89 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Heliports: 2 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Railways: total: 248 km (2018) note: a narrow gauge, single-track railroad between Babonosa (Sudan) and Wau, the only existing rail system, was repaired in 2010 with $250 million in UN funds, but is not currently operational; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF): Land Forces (includes Presidential Guard), Air Forces, Marine (Riverine) Forces, Reserve Forces; National (or Necessary) Unified Forces (NUF) Ministry of Interior: South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) (2025) note 1: the NUF are being formed by retraining rebel and pro-government militia fighters into military, police, and other government security forces; the first operational NUF deployed in November 2023 note 2: numerous irregular forces operate in the country with official knowledge, including militias operated by the National Security Service (an internal security force under the Ministry of National Security) and proxy forces; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2024 est.) 2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; estimated 150-200,000 active Defense Forces (2025) note: some active SSPDF personnel may be militia; the National/Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) were expected to have up to 80,000 personnel when training and integration is completed; the first batch of approximately 20,000 NUF personnel completed training in late 2022; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SSPDF inventory is a mix of primarily of Soviet-era armaments alongside limited quantities of more modern equipment such as armored personnel carriers from UAE (2025) note: South Sudan has been under a UN arms embargo since 2018 (extended for 1 year in May 2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18 (legal minimum age)-35 for voluntary military service for men and women; 12-24 months service (2025) note: the UN reports that there are thousands of child soldiers in South Sudan serving in the SSPDF and militia forces although the South Sudanese Government has pledged to end the practice; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military - note: the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) are largely focused on border and internal security; areas of concern include disputed national borders, conflict spillover from neighboring Sudan, banditry, and armed rebel groups and militias that continue to operate in the country since the civil war ended in 2020 the SSPDF, formerly the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), was founded as a guerrilla movement against the Sudanese Government in 1983 and participated in the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005); the Juba Declaration that followed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 unified the SPLA and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF), the second-largest rebel militia remaining from the civil war, under the SPLA name; in 2017, the SPLA was renamed the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and in September 2018 was renamed again as the SSPDF the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS has about 18,000 personnel assigned; the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; its mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA has approximately 3,800 personnel assigned (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 517,471 (2024 est.) IDPs: 1,359,795 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 18,000 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 3 — South Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, South Sudan remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/south-sudan/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

South Sudan at a glance

South Sudan through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile