People & economy

Sudan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

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

walter callens CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
41,801,533
#35 of 197 countries
Area
1,861,484 km²
#17 of 248 countries
Density
22.5 / km²
#200 of 245 countries

Sudan has a population of 41,801,533 spread across 1,861,484 km², giving it an average density of 22.5 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
19.5
Life Expectancy
67.8 yrs
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
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. Sudan is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 33% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$797
Cost of Living
33% of US
Inflation
138.8%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$1,900
Unemployment
11.45%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 20.9% of Sudan's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy, so expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism % of Exports
20.9%
Air Passengers
911,090
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 Sudan there are 0.25 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
0.25/1k
Hospital Beds
0.66/1k
Health Spend
$21/person
Infant Mortality
39.2/1k
Immunization
46%
Safe Drinking Water
64.9%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
65.7%
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 Sudan, 26% 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 70 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
26.4%
Mobile Subs
70/100
Broadband
0.1/100
Electricity Access
66.0%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data