American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · SU

Flag of Sudan

Sudan

Thirty-second orientation

Sudan at a glance

Capital
Khartoum
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
51,662,147
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
1,861,484 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective: 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
Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Sudan through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    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

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population51,662,147World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 50,467,278 (2024 est.) male: 25,335,092 female: 25,132,186CIA 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
$60.2 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; 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
$1,165
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; 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
66.5 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
34.9%
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
66.0%
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
18.6%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2017 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2017; 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
Khartoum
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
1,861,484 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
51,662,147
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
Sudanese pounds (SDG)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective: Sudanese
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The 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 ·
UN membership
1956-11-12
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline
853 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
red, white, black, green
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
secretary bird
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Jabal Marrah · 9,980 ft (3,042 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Red Sea · 0 ft (0 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership 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 · Membership 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 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
Long referred to as Nubia, modern-day Sudan was the site of the Kingdom of Kerma (ca. 2500-1500 B.C.) until it was absorbed into the New Kingdom of Egypt. By the 11th century B.C., the Kingdom of Kush gained independence from Egypt; it lasted in various forms until the middle of the 4th century A.D. After the fall of Kush, the Nubians formed three Christian kingdoms of Nobatia, Makuria, and Alodia, with the latter two enduring until around 1500. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, Arab nomads settled much of Sudan, leading to extensive Islamization between the 16th and 19th centuries. Following Egyptian occupation early in the 19th century, an agreement in 1899 set up a joint British-Egyptian government in Sudan, but it was effectively a British colony. Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since Sudan gained independence from Anglo-Egyptian co-rule in 1956. During most of the second half of the 20th century, Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars rooted in northern domination of the largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern portion of the country. The first civil war ended in 1972, but another broke out in 1983. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04, and the final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years, followed by a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan. South Sudan became independent in 2011, but Sudan and South Sudan have yet to fully implement security and economic agreements to normalize relations between the two countries. Sudan has also faced conflict in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile starting in 2003. In 2019, after months of nationwide protests, the 30-year reign of President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR ended when the military forced him out. Economist and former international civil servant Abdalla HAMDOUK al-Kinani was selected to serve as the prime minister of a transitional government as the country prepared for elections in 2022. In late 2021, however, the Sudanese military ousted HAMDOUK and his government and replaced civilian members of the Sovereign Council (Sudan’s collective Head of State) with individuals selected by the military. HAMDOUK was briefly reinstated but resigned in January 2022. General Abd-al-Fatah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman, the Chair of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, currently serves as de facto head of state and government. He presides over a Sovereign Council consisting of military leaders, former armed opposition group representatives, and military-appointed civilians. A cabinet of acting ministers handles day-to-day administration.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
Location
north-eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
15 00 N, 30 00 E
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 1,861,484 sq km land: 1,731,671 sq km water: 129,813 sq km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly less than one-fifth the size of the US
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 6,819 km border countries (7): Central African Republic 174 km; Chad 1,403 km; Egypt 1,276 km; Eritrea 682 km; Ethiopia 744 km; Libya 382 km; South Sudan 2,158 km note: Sudan-South Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei region pending negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
853 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
generally flat, featureless plain; desert dominates the north
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Jabal Marrah 3,042 m lowest point: Red Sea 0 m mean elevation: 568 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 60.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 49% (2023 est.) forest: 12% (2023 est.) other: 27.7% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
15,504 sq km (2019)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major rivers (by length in km)
An Nīl (Nile) (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major aquifers
Nubian Aquifer System, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
with the exception of a ribbon of settlement that corresponds to the banks of the Nile, northern Sudan is sparsely populated; sizeable areas of population are found around Khartoum, southeast between the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and throughout South Darfur, as shown on this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
dust storms and periodic persistent droughts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
the Nile is Sudan's primary water source; its major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, meet at Khartoum to form the River Nile, which flows northward through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society29 fields
Population
total: 50,467,278 (2024 est.) male: 25,335,092 female: 25,132,186
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Ingessana, Uduk, Fallata, Masalit, Dajo, Gimir, Tunjur, Berti; there are over 500 ethnic groups
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 40.1% (male 10,278,453/female 9,949,343) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 14,211,514/female 14,390,486) 65 years and over: 3.2% (2024 est.) (male 845,125/female 792,357)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 76.4 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 70.7 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 17.5 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 19.5 years (2025 est.) male: 19 years female: 19.6 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
2.54% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
32.95 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
6 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
with the exception of a ribbon of settlement that corresponds to the banks of the Nile, northern Sudan is sparsely populated; sizeable areas of population are found around Khartoum, southeast between the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and throughout South Darfur, as shown on this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 36.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
6.344 million KHARTOUM (capital), 1.057 million Nyala (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
256 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 39.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.8 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 67.8 years (2024 est.) male: 65.5 years female: 70.2 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
4.41 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
2.15 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 74.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 59.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 64.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 25.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 40.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 35.1% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
2.8% of GDP (2021) 6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
0.25 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Hospital bed density
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.6% (2014)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.63 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
33% (2014)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 7 years (2015 est.) male: 7 years (2015 est.) female: 7 years (2015 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
Environmental issues
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water scarcity and drought; overhunting; soil erosion; desertification; deforestation; loss of biodiversity
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 60.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 49% (2023 est.) forest: 12% (2023 est.) other: 27.7% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 36.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
18.242 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 300 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 18.242 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
24.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Methane emissions
energy: 218.5 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,509.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 198.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 38.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.831 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8.9% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 950 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 75 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 25.91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
37.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan local short form: As-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Sudan etymology: the name derives from the Arabic balad-as-sudan, meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Khartoum geographic coordinates: 15 36 N, 32 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the Arabic words ras (head or end) and al-khurtum (elephant's trunk), referring to the narrow strip of land between the Blue and White Niles where the city is located
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
18 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); Blue Nile, Central Darfur, East Darfur, Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Darfur, North Kordofan, Northern, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, South Darfur, South Kordofan, West Darfur, West Kordofan, White Nile note: the peace agreement signed in 2020 included a provision to establish a system of governance to restructure the country's current 18 states into regions
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
mixed system of Islamic law and English common law
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: previous 1973, 1998, 2005 (interim constitution, which was suspended in April 2019); latest initial draft completed by Transitional Military Council in May 2019; revised draft known as the "Draft Constitutional Charter for the 2019 Transitional Period," or “2019 Constitutional Declaration” was signed by the Council and opposition coalition on 4 August 2019 note: amended 2020 to incorporate the Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan; the military suspended several provisions of the Constitutional Declaration in October 2021
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2008
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Sudan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman (since 11 November 2021) head of government: Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman (since 11 November 2021) cabinet: the military forced most members of the Council of Ministers out of office in 2021; a handful of ministers appointed by former armed opposition groups were allowed to retain their posts; at present, most of the members of the Council are appointed senior civil servants serving in an acting-minister capacity election/appointment process: military members of the Sovereign Council are selected by the leadership of the security forces; representatives of former armed groups to the Sovereign Council are selected by the signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement election results: NA expected date of next election: supposed to be held in 2022 or 2023, but the methodology for elections has still not been defined note 1: the 2019 Constitutional Declaration established a collective chief of state of the "Sovereign Council," which was chaired by al-BURHAN; on 25 October 2021, al-BURHAN dissolved the Sovereign Council but reinstated it on 11 November 2021, replacing its civilian members (previously selected by the umbrella civilian coalition the Forces for Freedom and Change) with civilians of the military’s choosing, but then relieved the newly appointed civilian members of their duties on 6 July 2022 note 2: Sovereign Council currently consists of 5 generals
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
note: the Parliament of Sudan was dissolved after a coup in April 2019; the August 2019 Constitutional Declaration established Sudan's transitional government; a Transitional Legislative Council (TLC) was to have served as the national legislature during the transitional period until elections could be held, but the TLC has not been created
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): National Supreme Court (consists of 70 judges organized into panels of 3 judges and includes 4 circuits that operate outside the capital); a Constitutional Court was required in the 2019 Constitutional Declaration, but it has yet to be implemented judge selection and term of office: National Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges selected by the Supreme Judicial Council subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; other national courts; public courts; district, town, and rural courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Democratic Unionist Party Democratic Unionist Party or DUP Federal Umma Party Muslim Brotherhood or MB National Congress Party or NCP National Umma Party or NUP Popular Congress Party or PCP Reform Movement Now Sudan National Front Sudanese Communist Party or SCP Sudanese Congress Party or SCoP Umma Party for Reform and Development Unionist Movement Party or UMP note: in November 2019, the transitional government banned the National Congress Party
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Abdalla IDRIS (since 16 September 2022) chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 email address and website: consular@sudanembassy.org https://www.sudanembassy.org/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Colleen Crenwelge (since May 2024) embassy: P.O. Box 699, Kilo 10, Soba, Khartoum mailing address: 2200 Khartoum Place, Washington DC 20521-2200 telephone: [249] 187-0-22000 email address and website: ACSKhartoum@state.gov https://sd.usembassy.gov/ note: the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended operations (to include visa, passport, and other routine consular services) on 22 April 2023
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU (suspended), CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
1 January 1956 (from Egypt and the UK)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 January (1956)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, with a green isosceles triangle based on the left side meaning: red stands for the struggle for freedom; white for peace, light, and love, black for the people; green for Islam, agriculture, and prosperity history: colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
secretary bird
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
red, white, black, green
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land) lyrics/music: Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN history: adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region (c); Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe (c); Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (n)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy28 fields
Economic overview
low-income Sahel economy devastated by ongoing civil war; major impacts on rural income, basic commodity prices, industrial production, agricultural supply chain, communications and commerce; hyperinflation and currency depreciation worsening food access and humanitarian conditions
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$94.42 billion (2024 est.) $109.147 billion (2023 est.) $154.672 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
-13.5% (2024 est.) -29.4% (2023 est.) -1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$1,900 (2024 est.) $2,200 (2023 est.) $3,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$49.91 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
138.8% (2022 est.) 359.1% (2021 est.) 163.3% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 22.1% (2024 est.) industry: 23% (2024 est.) services: 54.9% (2024 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 · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 80.7% (2024 est.) government consumption: 16.5% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 2.9% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 1.2% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -1.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
sugarcane, sorghum, milk, onions, groundnuts, sesame seeds, goat milk, bananas, mangoes/guavas, millet (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly, milling
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
-13.1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
10.949 million (2022 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
11.45% (2023 est.) 7.6% (2022 est.) 11.1% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 12% (2022 est.) male: 11.8% (2022 est.) female: 13.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $9.045 billion (2015 est.) expenditures: $9.103 billion (2015 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 · source
Public debt
99.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
7.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
-$4.443 billion (2022 est.) -$2.62 billion (2021 est.) -$5.841 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$5.908 billion (2022 est.) $6.664 billion (2021 est.) $5.065 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
UAE 21%, China 17%, Saudi Arabia 16%, Malaysia 9%, Egypt 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, oil seeds, sheep and goats, ground nuts (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$11.575 billion (2022 est.) $10.271 billion (2021 est.) $10.52 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
China 21%, India 19%, Egypt 16%, UAE 14%, Saudi Arabia 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
raw sugar, wheat flours, refined petroleum, garments, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$177.934 million (2017 est.) $168.284 million (2016 est.) $173.516 million (2015 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$21.65 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 546.759 (2022 est.) 370.791 (2021 est.) 53.996 (2020 est.) 45.767 (2019 est.) 24.329 (2018 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 63.2% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 84% electrification - rural areas: 49.4%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 3.815 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 13.983 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 882 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.646 billion kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 29.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 68.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
exports: 15 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 200 metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 68,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 129,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 1.25 billion barrels (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
proven reserves: 84.951 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
6.145 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 156,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 34.7 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 74 (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
state-owned broadcasters that self-censor but are somewhat independent (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.sd
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 26% (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 30,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
ST
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
45 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Heliports
8 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 7,251 km (2014) narrow gauge: 5,851 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 14 (2023) by type: other 14
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ports
total ports: 4 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 2 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Al Khair Oil Terminal, Beshayer Oil Terminal, Port Sudan, Sawakin Harbor
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
Military and security forces
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Ground Force (Sudanese Army), Sudanese Navy, Sudanese Air Force; Rapid Support Forces (RSF); Border Guards Ministry of Interior: Sudan Police Forces (SPF), Central Reserve Police (CRP) (2025) note 1: the RSF is a semi-autonomous paramilitary force formed in 2013 to fight armed rebel groups in Sudan, with Mohammed Hamdan DAGALO (aka Hemeti) as its commander; it was initially placed under the National Intelligence and Security Service, then came under the direct command of former president Omar al-BASHIR, who boosted the RSF as his own personal security force; as a result, the RSF was better funded and equipped than the regular armed forces; the RSF has since recruited from all parts of Sudan beyond its original Darfuri Arab groups but remains under the personal patronage and control of DAGALO note 2: the Central Reserve Police (aka Abu Tira) is a combat-trained paramilitary force note 3: the October 2020 peace agreement provided for the establishment of a Joint Security Keeping Forces (JSKF) tasked with securing the Darfur region in the place of the UN African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force that operated in the war-torn region from 2007-December 2020; the force was intended to include the SAF, RSF, police, intelligence, and representatives from armed groups involved in peace negotiations; while the first 2,000 members of the JSKF completed training in September 2022, the status of the force since the start of the civil war is not available note 4: there are also numerous armed militias operating in Sudan
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military expenditures
1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2019 est.) 2% of GDP (2018 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2017 est.) note: many defense expenditures are probably off-budget
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
prior to the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and the RSF in 2023, size estimates for Sudan's armed forces varied widely: up to 200,000 SAF; up to 100,000 RSF; up to 80,000 Central Reserve Police (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the SAF's inventory includes a mix of mostly Chinese, Russian/Soviet, and some domestically produced weapons systems; Sudan has a state-run defense industry, which mostly manufactures copies of foreign-supplied armaments, such as armored vehicles, under license (2025) note 1: Sudan has been under a UN Security Council approved arms embargo since 2005 as a result of violence in Darfur; in September 2025, the embargo was extended for another year note 2: the RSF traditionally has been a lightly armed paramilitary force but over the years is reported to have acquired some heavier armaments such as armored vehicles, artillery, and anti-aircraft guns; it has captured some SAF arms and equipment during the ongoing conflict; since the start of the conflict, both the RSF and the SAF are reported to have received additional weaponry from various foreign suppliers
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18-33 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service for men and women; service obligation 12-24 months (2025) note: official implementation of compulsory service is reportedly uneven; both the SAF and the RSF have been accused of engaging in forced recruitment of men and boys during the ongoing conflict
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the primary responsibilities of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are border control, external defense, and internal security; SAF operations have traditionally been supported by militia and paramilitary forces, particularly the Rapid Support Forces (RSF); in the Spring of 2023, fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF, particularly around the capital Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur, amid disputes over an internationally-backed plan for a transition towards civilian rule; fighting subsequently spread and continued into 2025 with reports of atrocities, ethnic cleansing, food insecurity, heavy civilian casualties, and millions of internally displaced persons; each side is supported by allied militias and both reportedly have received foreign support the Sudanese military has been a dominant force in the ruling of the country since its independence in 1956; in addition, the military has a large role in the country's economy, reportedly controlling over 200 commercial companies, including businesses involved in gold mining, rubber production, agriculture, and meat exports 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; UNISFA's 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; as of 2025, UNISFA had approximately 3,800 personnel assigned (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida; Harakat Sawa’d Misr note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 837,988 (2024 est.) IDPs: 11,559,970 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, Sudan remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/sudan
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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