South Sudan People - 2023
SOURCE: 2023 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
Population
12,118,379 (2023 est.)
Nationality
noun: South Sudanese (singular and plural)
adjective: South Sudanese
Ethnic groups
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: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies
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)
Religions
Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other
Demographic profile
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.
Age structure
0-14 years: 41.93% (male 2,591,637/female 2,490,026)
15-64 years: 55.48% (male 3,426,822/female 3,296,113)
65 years and over: 2.59% (2023 est.) (male 174,080/female 139,701)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 80.8
youth dependency ratio: 74.7
elderly dependency ratio: 6.1
potential support ratio: 18.4 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 18.6 years
male: 18.9 years
female: 18.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
4.78% (2023 est.)
Birth rate
37.07 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Death rate
9.22 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Net migration rate
19.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Population distribution
clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population: 21.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
459,000 JUBA (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.25 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
1,223 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 67.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 55.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 59.71 years
male: 57.94 years
female: 61.57 years (2023 est.)
Total fertility rate
5.2 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.54 (2023 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
N/A
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 88.7% of population
rural: 75.8% of population
total: 78.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 11.3% of population
rural: 24.2% of population
total: 21.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
5.3% of GDP (2020)
Physicians density
(2018)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 60.6% of population
rural: 15.5% of population
total: 24.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 39.4% of population
rural: 84.5% of population
total: 75.4% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2023)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.6% (2014)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
N/A
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
72% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
1.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 34.5%
male: 40.3%
female: 28.9% (2018)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 21%
male: 21.8%
female: 20.2% (2021 est.)
NOTE: The information regarding South Sudan on this page is re-published from the 2023 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of South Sudan 2023 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about South Sudan 2023 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.
This page was last modified 06 Dec 23, Copyright © 2023 ITA all rights reserved.