South Sudan

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.

land

NA

total

644,329 sq km

water

NA

more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas

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

0 km (landlocked)

highest point

Kinyeti 3,187 m

lowest point

White Nile 381 m

8 00 N, 30 00 E

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

1,000 sq km (2012)

border countries

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

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

total

6,018 km

agricultural land

45% (2018)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 4.4% (2018)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 40.7% (2018)

forest

11.3% (2018)

other

43.5% (2018)

East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

Africa

none (landlocked)

hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map

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

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)

36.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

NA

NA

5.3% of GDP (2020)

72% (2023 est.)

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; abput 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications. Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Only one-third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement. More than 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 2.2 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of October 2022. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 275,000 people had fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan as of December 2022.

elderly dependency ratio

6.1

potential support ratio

18.4 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

80.8

youth dependency ratio

74.7

improved: rural

rural: 75.8% of population

improved: total

total: 78.4% of population

improved: urban

urban: 88.7% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 24.2% of population

unimproved: total

total: 21.6% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 11.3% of population

1.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

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

note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies

2.48 (2024 est.)

female

54.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male

65.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

60.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

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)

female

62.2 years

male

58.4 years

total population

60.3 years (2024 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

28.9% (2018)

male

40.3%

total population

34.5%

459,000 JUBA (capital) (2023)

1,223 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

female

18.7 years

male

18.7 years

total

18.7 years (2024 est.)

adjective

South Sudanese

noun

South Sudanese (singular and plural)

19.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

6.6% (2014)

female

6,227,373 (2024 est.)

male

6,476,341

total

12,703,714

clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map

4.65% (2024 est.)

Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 15.5% of population

improved: total

total: 24.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 60.6% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 84.5% of population

unimproved: total

total: 75.4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 39.4% of population

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

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

5.09 children born/woman (2024 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

21.2% of total population (2023)

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, the creation of 28 new states was announced and in 2017 four additional states; following the February 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); this latest administrative revision has not yet been vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names

etymology

the name derives from Djouba, another name for the Bari people of South Sudan

geographic coordinates

04 51 N, 31 37 E

name

Juba

time difference

UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

amendments

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; amended 2013, 2015, 2018

history

previous 2005 (preindependence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011); note - new constitution pending establishment under the 2018 peace agreement

conventional long form

Republic of South Sudan

conventional short form

South Sudan

etymology

self-descriptive name from the country's former position within Sudan prior to independence; the name "Sudan" derives from the Arabic "bilad-as-sudan" meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael J. ADLER (since 24 August 2022)

email address and website

ACSJuba@state.govhttps://ss.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba

mailing address

4420 Juba Place, Washington DC  20521-4420

telephone

[211] 912-105-188

chancery

1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Santino Fardol Watod DICKEN (since 18 September 2024)

email address and website

info.ssdembassy@gmail.comhttps://www.ssembassydc.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 644-9910

telephone

[1] (202) 600-2238

cabinet

National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly

chief of state

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011)

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%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 to 15 April 2010 (originally scheduled for 2015 but postponed several times, currently to be held in December 2024)

head of government

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011)

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side contains a gold, five-pointed star; black represents the people of South Sudan, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green the verdant land, and blue the waters of the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the states making up South Sudan

note

note: resembles the flag of Kenya; one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Africa's

presidential republic

9 July 2011 (from Sudan)

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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of South Sudan (consists of a chief justice, deputy chief justice, and 5 additional justices); note - consistent with the 2008 Judiciary Act, the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for 9, rather than 5 additional justices

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the president (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; neither of these steps have been effectively implemented as of mid-2023)

note

Note: in mid-2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an Ad-hoc Judiciary Committee, a 12-member body led by two eminent jurists, which is charged with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reform and restructuring of the judiciary

subordinate courts

national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals

description

bicameral National Legislature consists of:Council of States, pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace dealTransitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan; note - originally 400 seats; the TNLA was expanded to 550 members from 400 and reestablished in May 2020 under the 2018 peace agreement

election results

Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30; composition - men 57, women 27, percentage women 32.1%National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, DCP 10, independent 6, unknown 133; composition - men 372, women 178, percentage women 32.4%; total National Legislature percentage women 32.3%

elections

Council of States - pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace dealTransitional National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 332 SPLM, 128 SPLM-IO, 90 other political parties; composition - NA

lyrics/music

collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers

name

"South Sudan Oyee!" (Hooray!)

note

note: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest

Independence Day, 9 July (2011)

African fish eagle; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white

Democratic Change or DCDemocratic Forum or DFLabour Party or LPSSSouth Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOASudan African National Union or SANUSudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLMSudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IOUnited Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF    United South Sudan African Party or USSAPUnited South Sudan Party or USSP

18 years of age; universal

milk, cassava, sorghum, goat milk, vegetables, fruits, maize, groundnuts, sesame seeds, beef (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

expenditures

$1.938 billion (2019 est.)

revenues

$1.94 billion (2019 est.)

Current account balance 2020

-$1.718 billion (2020 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$6.55 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$596.748 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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

Currency

South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2018

141.386 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

157.999 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

165.907 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

306.355 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

534.511 (2022 est.)

Exports 2020

$2.344 billion (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$4.652 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$5.811 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, forage crops, barley (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

China 44%, Italy 26%, Singapore 12%, Japan 9%, UAE 8% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

exports of goods and services

36.7% (2015 est.)

imports of goods and services

-28.9% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

5.8% (2015 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

agriculture

10.4% (2015 est.)

industry

33.1% (2015 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

56.6% (2015 est.)

$11.998 billion (2015 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016

44.1 (2016 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

highest 10%

33.1% (2016 est.)

lowest 10%

1.7% (2016 est.)

Imports 2020

$4.245 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$4.037 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$6.402 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

garments, cars, trucks, packaged medicine, malt extract (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

UAE 39%, Kenya 18%, China 17%, US 4%, India 3% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

-36.78% (2015 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

10.52% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

-6.69% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

2.38% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

4.471 million (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

82.3% (2016 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt 2017

62.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015

$24.52 billion (2015 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016

$21.1 billion (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017

$20.01 billion (2017 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2015

-10.79% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

-13.9% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

-5.2% (2017 est.)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2015

$2,100 (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2016

$1,700 (2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2017

$1,600 (2017 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2014

0.01% of GDP (2014 est.)

Remittances 2015

9.49% of GDP (2015 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2018

$36.396 million (2018 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019

$378.282 million (2019 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020

$183.615 million (2020 est.)

8.5% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

13.87% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

12.4% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

12.27% (2023 est.)

female

17.2% (2023 est.)

male

19.4% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

18.3% (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

1.97 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

1.97 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

imports

100 metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption

595.604 million kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

134,000 kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

24.506 million kWh (2022 est.)

electrification - rural areas

1.7%

electrification - total population

8.4% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

15%

fossil fuels

97.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

2.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

2.627 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

3.75 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

146,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

total

200 (2019 est.)

a single TV channel and a radio station are controlled by the government; several community and commercial FM stations are operational, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts are available (2019)

.ss

percent of population

7.9% (2021 est.)

total

869,000 (2021 est.)

domestic

fixed-line less than 1 per 100 subscriptions, mobile-cellular is 30 per 100 persons (2021)

general assessment

following a referendum, oil-rich South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 and became an independent nation; having been deprived of investment for decades, it inherited one of the least developed telecom markets in the world; there was once investment activity among mobile network operators who sought to expand their networks in some areas of the country; operators in the telecom sector placed themselves in survival mode and are hoping for a political settlement and a return to some degree of social stability; South Sudan has one of the lowest mobile penetration rates in Africa; growth in the sector in coming years is premised on a resolution to the political crisis and a recovery of the country’s economy; the virtually untapped internet and broadband market also depends to a large extent on the country gaining access to international fiber cables and on a national backbone network being in place; sophisticated infrastructure solutions are needed to reach the 80% of the population that live outside of the main urban centers; some improvement has followed from the cable link in February 2020 which connects Juba directly to the company’s submarine landing station at Mombasa; the cable was South Sudan’s first direct international fiber link, and has helped drive down the price of retail internet services for residential and business customers; a second cable linking to the border with Kenya was completed in December 2021 (2022)

international

country code - 211 (2017)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

(2018 est.) less than 1

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

3.276 million (2022 est.)

82 (2024)

Z8

1 (2024)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

2

number of registered air carriers

2 (2020)

note

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

total

248 km (2018)

note

note: most of the road network is unpaved and much of it is in disrepair; the Juba-Nimule highway connecting Juba to the border with Uganda is the main paved road in South Sudan 

paved

300 km

total

90,200 km

unpaved

89,900 km (2015)

see entry for Sudan

the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) are largely focused on border and internal security; for example, as of 2024 it was engaged in counterinsurgency operations against the National Salvation Front (NAS), a militant group which has continued fighting the South Sudanese Government since a peace deal led to a cease-fire and the formation of a unity government in 2018; the NAS is mostly active in the greater Equatoria region 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 SSPDFthe 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 had about 15,000 personnel deployed in the country as of 2024the 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 2024, UNISFA had approximately 3,200 personnel assigned (2024)

South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF): Land Forces (includes Presidential Guard), Air Forces, Marines (Riverine Forces), Reserve Forces; National (or Necessary) Unified Forces (NUF)Ministry of Interior: South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) (2024)

note

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 2023note 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

estimated 150-200,000 active personnel, mostly ground forces with small contingents of air and riverine forces (2023)

note

note: some active SSPDF personnel may be militia; the National/Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) are 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

the SSPDF inventory is comprised primarily of Soviet-era equipment; South Sudan has been under a UN arms embargo since 2018 (2024)

Military Expenditures 2018

3.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; 12-24 months service (2023)

IDPs

2.258 million (alleged coup attempt and ethnic conflict beginning in December 2013; information is lacking on those displaced in earlier years by: fighting in Abyei between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in May 2011; clashes between the SPLA and dissident militia groups in South Sudan; inter-ethnic conflicts over resources and cattle; attacks from the Lord's Resistance Army; floods and drought) (2023)

refugees (country of origin)

564,738 (Sudan) (refugees since 15 April 2023), 13,833 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2024)

stateless persons

10,000 (2022)

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 remains on Tier 3; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/south-sudan/

carbon dioxide emissions

1.73 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

7.61 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

20.18 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

widespread lack of access

due to economic downturn, the lingering effects of floods, and prolonged internal conflict - despite sustained humanitarian assistance, food insecurity still affects large segments of the population, owing to rampant inflation and insufficient food supplies due to stagnant agricultural production, the effects of consecutive years with widespread floods, and the escalation of organized violence at the sub-national level since 2020; about 7.76 million people, almost two thirds of the total population, are expected to face severe acute food insecurity in the lean season between April and July 2023; the high levels of cereal prices are mainly due to insufficient supplies, low foreign currency reserves, a weak national currency and high fuel prices; further upward pressure was exerted by reduced imports from neighboring Uganda, where exportable surpluses shrunk in 2022 following a reduced cereal production (2023)

agricultural land

45% (2018)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 4.4% (2018)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 40.7% (2018)

forest

11.3% (2018)

other

43.5% (2018)

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

2.65% of GDP (2015 est.)

49.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural

240 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

230 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

190 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

21.2% of total population (2023)

municipal solid waste generated annually

2,680,681 tons (2013 est.)