Sudan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Sudan — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

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 — 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 — Sudan has 0.25 physicians 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 — 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