2011 Edition

Background

Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972 but broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects resulted in more than four million people displaced and, according to rebel estimates, more than two million deaths over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords. The final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years followed by a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan. The referendum was held in January 2011 and indicated overwhelming support for independence. A separate conflict, which broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003, has displaced nearly two million people and caused an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths. The UN took command of the Darfur peacekeeping operation from the African Union in December 2007. Peacekeeping troops have struggled to stabilize the situation, which has become increasingly regional in scope and has brought instability to eastern Chad. Sudan also has faced large refugee influxes from neighboring countries primarily Ethiopia and Chad. Armed conflict, poor transport infrastructure, and lack of government support have chronically obstructed the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations.

Area

1,861,484 sq km NA NA

total

1,861,484 sq km

water

NA

Area - comparative

slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US

Climate

hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)

Coastline

853 km

Elevation extremes

Red Sea 0 m Kinyeti 3,187 m

highest point

Kinyeti 3,187 m

lowest point

Red Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

37.32 cu km/yr (3%/1%/97%) 1,030 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,030 cu m/yr (2000)

total

37.32 cu km/yr (3%/1%/97%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 30 00 E

Geography - note

dominated by the Nile and its tributaries

Irrigated land

18,630 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

6,751 km Central African Republic 175 km, Chad 1,360 km, Egypt 1,275 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 769 km, Libya 383 km, South Sudan 2,184 km 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

border countries

Central African Republic 175 km, Chad 1,360 km, Egypt 1,275 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 769 km, Libya 383 km, South Sudan 2,184 km

total

6,751 km

Land use

NA NA NA

arable land

NA

other

NA

permanent crops

NA

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 18 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

dust storms and periodic persistent droughts

Natural resources

petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower

Terrain

generally flat, featureless plain; desert dominates the north

Total renewable water resources

154 cu km (1997)

Age structure

42.1% (male 9,696,726/female 9,286,894) 55.2% (male 12,282,082/female 12,571,424) 2.7% (male 613,817/female 596,559) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

42.1% (male 9,696,726/female 9,286,894)

15-64 years

55.2% (male 12,282,082/female 12,571,424)

65 years and over

2.7% (male 613,817/female 596,559) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

36.12 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

31.7% (2006)

Death rate

11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 64% of population rural: 52% of population total: 57% of population urban: 36% of population rural: 48% of population total: 43% of population (2008)

rural

48% of population

total

43% of population (2008)

urban

36% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Fallata

Health expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

12,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

260,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

68.07 deaths/1,000 live births 68.77 deaths/1,000 live births 67.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

67.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

68.07 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur program of "Arabization" in process

Life expectancy at birth

55.42 years 54.18 years 56.71 years (2011 est.)

female

56.71 years (2011 est.)

total population

55.42 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 61.1% 71.8% 50.5% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

50.5% (2003 est.)

male

71.8%

total population

61.1%

Major cities - population

KHARTOUM (capital) 5.021 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

750 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

18.5 years 18.1 years 18.9 years (2011 est.)

female

18.9 years (2011 est.)

male

18.1 years

total

18.5 years

Nationality

Sudanese (singular and plural) Sudanese

adjective

Sudanese

noun

Sudanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.28 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

45,047,502 includes the population of South Sudan (8,260,490); demographic data includes South Sudan (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.484% (2011 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

Sanitation facility access

urban: 55% of population rural: 18% of population total: 34% of population urban: 45% of population rural: 82% of population total: 66% of population (2008)

rural

82% of population

total

66% of population (2008)

urban

45% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

4 years (2000)

total

4 years (2000)

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.05 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.84 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

40% of total population (2010) 3.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

40% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

15 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Jazira (Gezira), Al Khartoum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile), Ash Shimaliyya (Northern), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern Kordofan), Kassala, Nahr an Nil (River Nile), Shimal Darfur (Northern Darfur), Shimal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sinnar the Sudanese Government has announced the creation of two new states, Central Darfur and East Darfur, but they are not yet operational

Capital

Khartoum 15 36 N, 32 32 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 36 N, 32 32 E

name

Khartoum

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Interim National Constitution ratified 5 July 2005 under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim National Constitution was ratified 5 July 2005; Constitution of Southern Sudan was signed December 2005

Country name

Republic of the Sudan Sudan Jumhuriyat as-Sudan As-Sudan Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

conventional long form

Republic of the Sudan

conventional short form

Sudan

former

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

local long form

Jumhuriyat as-Sudan

local short form

As-Sudan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert E. WHITEHEAD Sharia Ali Abdul Latif Street, Khartoum P.O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829 [249] (183) 774700 through 704 [249] (183) 774137

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert E. WHITEHEAD

embassy

Sharia Ali Abdul Latif Street, Khartoum

FAX

[249] (183) 774137

mailing address

P.O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829

telephone

[249] (183) 774700 through 704

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Emad Mirghani ALTOHAMY 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 338-8565 [1] (202) 667-2406

chancery

2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Emad Mirghani ALTOHAMY

FAX

[1] (202) 667-2406

telephone

[1] (202) 338-8565

Executive branch

President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993) Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet election on 11-15 April 2010; next to be held in 2015 Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 68.2%, Yasir ARMAN 21.7%, Abdullah Deng NHIAL 3.9%, others 6.2% al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister, and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for the first time in March 1996

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet

chief of state

President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 68.2%, Yasir ARMAN 21.7%, Abdullah Deng NHIAL 3.9%, others 6.2%

elections

election on 11-15 April 2010; next to be held in 2015

head of government

President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; colors and design based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I, but the meanings of the colors are expressed as follows: red signifies the struggle for freedom, white is the color of peace, light, and love, black represents Sudan itself (in Arabic 'Sudan' means black), green is the color of Islam, agriculture, and prosperity

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; colors and design based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I, but the meanings of the colors are expressed as follows

red signifies the struggle for freedom, white is the color of peace, light, and love, black represents Sudan itself (in Arabic 'Sudan' means black), green is the color of Islam, agriculture, and prosperity

Government type

Government of National Unity (GNU) - the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulated national elections in 2009, but these were subsequently rescheduled; elections took place in April 2010 and the NCP was elected as the majority party; due to the CPA stipulations, there is also an autonomous government in Southern Sudan where SPLM holds the majority of positions.

Independence

1 January 1956 (from Egypt and the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2008

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court of nine justices; National Supreme Court; National Courts of Appeal; other national courts; National Judicial Service Commission will undertake overall management of the National Judiciary

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law in the north, and primarily customary law in the south

Legislative branch

bicameral National Legislature consists of a Council of States (50 seats; members indirectly elected by state legislatures to serve six-year terms) and a National Assembly (450 seats; 60% from geographic constituencies, 25% from a women's list, and 15% from party lists; members to serve six-year terms) last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2016) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 323, SPLM 99, PCP 4, DUP 4, UFP 3, URRP 2, DUPO 2, SPLM-DC 2, other 7, vacant 4

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 323, SPLM 99, PCP 4, DUP 4, UFP 3, URRP 2, DUPO 2, SPLM-DC 2, other 7, vacant 4

elections

last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land) Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN adopted 1956; the song originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military

lyrics/music

Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN

name

"Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 January (1956)

National symbol(s)

secretary bird

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Unionist Party or DUP [Hatim al-SIR]; Democratic Unionist Party-Original or DUPO; National Congress Party or NCP [Umar Hassan al-BASHIR]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Malik AGGAR]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change or SPLM-DC; Umma Federal Party or UFP; Umma Renewal and Reform Party or URRP

Political pressure groups and leaders

Umma Party [SADIQ Siddiq al-Mahdi]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI]; Darfur rebel groups including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM [Khalil IBRAHIM] and the Sudan Liberation Movement or SLM [various factional leaders]

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep and other livestock

Budget

$11.32 billion $13.35 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$13.35 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$11.32 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.7% (31 December 2010 est.) 11% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.119 billion (2010 est.) -$4.232 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$37.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $35.72 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Since 1997, Sudan has been working with the IMF to implement macroeconomic reforms including a managed float of the exchange rate and a large reserve of foreign exchange. A new currency, the Sudanese Pound, was introduced in January 2007 at an initial exchange rate of $1.00 equals 2 Sudanese Pounds. Sudan began exporting crude oil in the last quarter of 1999 and the economy boomed on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and significant inflows of foreign direct investment until the second half of 2008. The Darfur conflict, the aftermath of two decades of civil war in the south, the lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and a reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture ensure much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years to come despite rapid rises in average per capita income. Sudan's real GDP expanded by 5.2% during 2010, an improvement over 2009's 4.2% growth but significantly below the more than 10% per year growth experienced prior to the global financial crisis in 2006 and 2007. While the oil sector continues to drive growth, services and utilities play an increasingly important role in the economy with agriculture production remaining important as it employs 80% of the work force and contributes a third of GDP. In the lead up to the referendum on southern secession, which took place in January 2011, Sudan saw its currency depreciate considerably on the black market with the Central Bank's official rate also losing value as the Sudanese people started to hoard foreign currency. The Central Bank of Sudan intervened heavily in the currency market to defend the value of the pound and the Sudanese government introduced a number of measures to restrain excess local demand for hard currency, but uncertainty about the secession has meant that foreign exchange remains in heavy demand.

Electricity - consumption

3.787 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

4.323 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 2.36 (2010) 2.3 (2009) 2.1 (2008) 2.06 (2007) 2.172 (2006)

Exports

$11.4 billion (2010 est.) $8.473 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar

Exports - partners

China 68.3%, Japan 12.6%, India 5.8% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

44.6% 45.3% 10.2% (2010 est.)

agriculture

44.6%

industry

45.3%

services

10.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,300 (2010 est.) $2,200 (2009 est.) $2,200 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.) 6% (2009 est.) 6.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$68.44 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$100 billion (2010 est.) $95.18 billion (2009 est.) $89.81 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$8.839 billion (2010 est.) $8.528 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat

Imports - partners

China 21.7%, Egypt 8%, Saudi Arabia 7.7%, India 6.1%, UAE 5.7% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13% (2010 est.) 11.2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

11.92 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

80% 7% 13% (1998 est.)

agriculture

80%

industry

7%

services

13% (1998 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

84.95 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

98,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

383,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

11,820 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

514,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

5 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Public debt

90.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 105.2% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.063 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $897 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$14.53 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $12.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$12.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.875 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.19 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

18.7% (2002 est.)

Broadcast media

the Sudanese Government directly controls TV and radio, requiring that both media reflect government policies; TV has a permanent military censor; a private radio station is in operation (2007)

Internet country code

.sd

Internet hosts

70 (2010)

Internet users

4.2 million (2008)

Telephone system

well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially with wide coverage of most major cities consists of microwave radio relay, cable, fiber optic, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations country code - 249; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2000)

domestic

consists of microwave radio relay, cable, fiber optic, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations

general assessment

well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially with wide coverage of most major cities

international

country code - 249; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2000)

Telephones - main lines in use

374,700 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17.654 million (2010)

Airports

116 (2011)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2011)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

10

over 3,047 m

3

total

17

under 914 m

1 (2011)

Airports - with unpaved runways

37 (2011)

1,524 to 2,437 m

16

914 to 1,523 m

46

total

99

under 914 m

37 (2011)

Heliports

5 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 2 (2010)

total

2

Pipelines

gas 156 km; oil 4,070 km; refined products 1,613 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Port Sudan

Railways

5,978 km 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations (2010)

total

5,978 km

Roadways

11,900 km 4,320 km 7,580 km (2000)

total

11,900 km

unpaved

7,580 km (2000)

Waterways

4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers) (2008)

Manpower available for military service

10,433,973 10,411,443 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,411,443 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,433,973

Manpower fit for military service

6,475,530 6,840,885 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,840,885 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,475,530

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

532,030 512,476 (2010 est.)

female

512,476 (2010 est.)

male

532,030

Military branches

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Land Forces, Navy (includes Marines), Sudanese Air Force (Sikakh al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya), Popular Defense Forces (2011)

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)

Land Forces, Navy (includes Marines), Sudanese Air Force (Sikakh al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya), Popular Defense Forces (2011)

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-33 years of age for male and female compulsory and voluntary military service; 1-2 year service obligation; a requirement that completion of national sevice was mandatory before entering public or private sector employment has been cancelled (2011)

Disputes - international

the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel militia fighting since the mid-20th century have penetrated all of the neighboring states; as of 2006, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda provided shelter for over half a million Sudanese refugees, which includes 240,000 Darfur residents driven from their homes by Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military forces; as of January 2011, Sudan, in turn, hosted about 138,700 Eritreans, 43,000 Chadians, and smaller numbers of Ethiopians; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia proceed slowly due to civil and ethnic fighting in eastern Sudan; Sudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic

Refugees and internally displaced persons

162,000 (Eritrea); 43,000 (Chad); 11,009 (Ethiopia) more than 4 million (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region) (2007)

IDPs

more than 4 million (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

162,000 (Eritrea); 43,000 (Chad); 11,009 (Ethiopia)

Trafficking in persons

Sudan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Sudanese women and girls, particularly those from rural areas or who are internally displaced, are vulnerable to forced labor as domestic workers in homes throughout the country; some of these women and girls are subsequently sexually abused by male occupants of the household or forced to engage in commercial sex acts; Sudanese women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude in Middle Eastern countries, such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and to forced sex trafficking in European countries; some Sudanese men who voluntarily migrate to the Middle East as low-skilled laborers face conditions indicative of forced labor; Sudanese children transit Yemen en route to Saudi Arabia, where they are used in forced begging and street vending, and reportedly work in exploitative labor situations for Sudanese traders in the Central African Republic; Sudan is a transit and destination country for Ethiopian and Eritrean women subjected to domestic servitude in Sudan and Middle Eastern countries; Sudan is a destination for Ethiopian, Somali, and possibly Thai women subjected to forced prostitution Tier 3 - Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; while the government took some steps to identify, demobilize, and reintegrate child soldiers during the reporting period, combating human trafficking through law enforcement, protection, or prevention measures was not a priority (2011)

current situation

Sudan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Sudanese women and girls, particularly those from rural areas or who are internally displaced, are vulnerable to forced labor as domestic workers in homes throughout the country; some of these women and girls are subsequently sexually abused by male occupants of the household or forced to engage in commercial sex acts; Sudanese women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude in Middle Eastern countries, such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and to forced sex trafficking in European countries; some Sudanese men who voluntarily migrate to the Middle East as low-skilled laborers face conditions indicative of forced labor; Sudanese children transit Yemen en route to Saudi Arabia, where they are used in forced begging and street vending, and reportedly work in exploitative labor situations for Sudanese traders in the Central African Republic; Sudan is a transit and destination country for Ethiopian and Eritrean women subjected to domestic servitude in Sudan and Middle Eastern countries; Sudan is a destination for Ethiopian, Somali, and possibly Thai women subjected to forced prostitution

tier rating

Tier 3 - Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; while the government took some steps to identify, demobilize, and reintegrate child soldiers during the reporting period, combating human trafficking through law enforcement, protection, or prevention measures was not a priority (2011)