People & economy

South Sudan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to South Sudan: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

SuSanA Secretariat derivative work: JamesA CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
8,260,490
#100 of 197 countries
Area
644,329 km²
#43 of 248 countries
Density
12.8 / km²
#219 of 245 countries

South Sudan has a population of 8,260,490 spread across 644,329 km², giving it an average density of 12.8 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
18.7
Life Expectancy
60.3 yrs
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. South Sudan is classified as a low income country by the World Bank.

Income Level
Low income
Inflation
2.4%
Inequality
44.0
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$400
Unemployment
12.5%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.4% of South Sudan's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
0.4%
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In South Sudan there are 0.04 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.04/1k
Health Spend
$73/person
Infant Mortality
72.6/1k
Immunization
72%
Safe Drinking Water
39.8%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
14.4%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In South Sudan, 9% of the population uses the internet, so connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 47 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
9.3%
Mobile Subs
47/100
Electricity Access
5.4%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data