Factbook dossier
Background
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is the world s newest country. Home to a diverse array of mainly Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups that settled in the territory in the 15th through 19th centuries, South Sudanese society is heavily dependent on seasonal migration and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation. Modern-day South Sudan was conquered first by Egypt and later ruled jointly by Egyptian-British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. Christian missionaries helped spread the English language and Christianity in the area, leading to significant cultural differences with the northern part of Sudan, where Arabic and Islam are dominant. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, the southern region received assurances that it would participate fully in the political system. However, the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises, prompting two periods of civil war (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which as many as 2.5 million people died -- mostly civilians -- due largely to starvation and drought. The second Sudanese civil war was one of the deadliest since WWII and left southern Sudanese society devastated. Peace talks resulted in a US-backed Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, which granted the South six years of autonomy followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. In 2013, confli…
Location
East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia
Area
total : 644,329 sq km land: NA water: NA
Natural resources
hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver
Population
total: 12,703,714 (2024 est.) male: 6,476,341 female: 6,227,373
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 1%, unaffiliated 1% (2020 est.)
Environmental issues
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; drought
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Juba geographic coordinates: 04 51 N, 31 37 E time difference: UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name comes from the name of a small Bari village that was located near the present-day city
Executive branch
chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011) head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011) cabinet: National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 11-15 April 2010 election results: 2010: Salva KIIR Mayardit elected leader of then-Southern Sudan; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7% expected date of next election: scheduled for 2015 but has been postponed multiple times, currently to be held in December 2026 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Législature nationale (National Legislature) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$6.752 billion (2023 est.) $6.585 billion (2022 est.) $6.945 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$400 (2023 est.) $400 (2022 est.) $400 (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
91.4% (2024 est.) 2.4% (2023 est.) -6.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
China 51%, Singapore 29%, UAE 10%, Germany 4%, Uganda 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Uganda 33%, UAE 26%, Kenya 14%, China 10%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
South Sudan People s Defense Force (SSPDF): Land Forces (includes Presidential Guard), Air Forces, Marine (Riverine) Forces, Reserve Forces; National (or Necessary) Unified Forces (NUF) Ministry of Interior: South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) (2025) note 1: the NUF are being formed by retraining rebel and pro-government militia fighters into military, police, and other government security forces; the first operational NUF deployed in November 2023 note 2: numerous irregular forces operate in the country with official knowledge, including militias operated by the National Security Service (an internal security force under the Ministry of National Security) and proxy forces
Military expenditures
2% of GDP (2024 est.) 2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.)