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Sub-Saharan Africa / SSD

South Sudan

South Sudan flag
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2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

World Bank directory: capital Juba · 4.85°, 31.6° · sourceRetrieved 2026-10-29 · single source, unverified; directory metadata may be stale.
South Sudan: CIA World Factbook map from 2021; original boundary notes preserved.
ⓘCIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: dc04c5241d4de3e5b5f6a7afad614823221f3841321c9a22bbcf5f1f19191173. Provenance and inspection record.

Introduction

Background:1

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, conflict erupted between forces loyal to President Salva KIIR, a Dinka, and forces loyal to Vice President Riek MACHAR, a Nuer. The conflict quickly spread through the country along ethnic lines, killing tens of thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis with millions of South Sudanese displaced. KIIR and MACHAR signed a peace agreement in 2015 that created a Transitional Government of National Unity the next year. However, renewed fighting broke out in Juba between KIIR and MACHAR’s forces, plunging the country back into conflict and drawing in additional armed opposition groups. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in 2018, mostly ending the fighting and laying the groundwork for a unified national army, a transitional government, and elections. The transitional government was formed in 2020, when MACHAR returned to Juba as first vice president. Since 2020, implementation of the peace agreement has been stalled amid wrangling over power-sharing, which has contributed to an uptick in communal violence and the country’s worst food crisis since independence, with 7 of 11 million South Sudanese citizens in need of humanitarian assistance. The transitional period was extended an additional two years in 2022, pushing elections to late 2024.

Geography

Location:2

East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia

Geographic coordinates:3

8 00 N, 30 00 E

Map references:4

Africa

Area:5

Surface area: 646,883 square kilometers (2024)

total:644,329 sq km
land:NA
water:NA

Area - comparative:7

more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:8

total:6,018 km
border countries (6):Central African Republic 1,055 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km; Ethiopia 1,299 km; Kenya 317 km; Sudan 2,158 km; Uganda 475 km
note:South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan

Coastline:9

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:10

none (landlocked)

Climate:11

hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Terrain:12

plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

Elevation:13

highest point:Kinyeti 3,187 m
lowest point:White Nile 381 m

Natural resources:14

hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

Land use:15

agricultural land:44.9% (2023 est.)
arable land:3.9% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:0.1% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:40.8% (2023 est.)
forest:11.3% (2023 est.)
other:43.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land:16

1,000 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km):17

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note:[s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km):18

Atlantic Ocean drainage:Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

Population distribution:19

clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map

Geography - note:20

landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile; its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands

People and Society

Population:21

Population: 12,188,788 people (2025)

total:12,703,714 (2024 est.)
male:6,476,341
female:6,227,373

Nationality:23

noun:South Sudanese (singular and plural)
adjective:South Sudanese

Ethnic groups:24

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:25

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

major-language sample(s)
major-language sample(s):The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
major-language sample(s):كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

Religions:26

Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

Age structure:27

0-14 years:42.1% (male 2,725,520/female 2,619,035)
15-64 years:55.3% (male 3,568,064/female 3,458,804)
65 years and over:2.6% (2024 est.) (male 182,757/female 149,534)

Dependency ratios:28

total dependency ratio:80.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio:76.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:4.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio:21.1 (2024 est.)

Median age:29

total:18.7 years (2024 est.)
male:18.7 years
female:18.7 years

Population growth rate:30

Population growth rate: 2.03 % annually (2025)

4.65% (2024 est.)

Birth rate:32

Crude birth rate: 29.22 births per 1,000 people (2024)

36.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate:34

Crude death rate: 9.82 deaths per 1,000 people (2024)

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate:36

19.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution:37

clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization:38

Urban population: 21.68 % of population (2025)

urban population:21.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population:40

459,000 JUBA (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio:41

at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.22 male(s)/female
total population:1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio:42

Maternal mortality ratio: 692 deaths per 100,000 live births (2023)

692 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate:44

Infant mortality rate: 71.9 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

total:60.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male:65.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female:54.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:46

Life expectancy at birth: 57.74 years (2024)

total population:60.3 years (2024 est.)
male:58.4 years
female:62.2 years

Total fertility rate:48

Total fertility rate: 3.79 births per woman (2024)

5.09 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate:50

2.48 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source:51

At least basic drinking water services: 39.75 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:70% of population (2022 est.)
rural:33.6% of population (2022 est.)
total:41.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:30% of population (2022 est.)
rural:66.4% of population (2022 est.)
total:58.8% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure:53

Current health expenditure: 11.61 % of GDP (2023)

Health expenditure (as % of GDP):5.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):2.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density:55

Physicians: 0.04 per 1,000 people (2022)

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access:57

At least basic sanitation services: 14.43 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:60.6% of population (2022 est.)
rural:15.5% of population (2022 est.)
total:24.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:39.4% of population (2022 est.)
rural:84.5% of population (2022 est.)
total:75.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:59

6.6% (2014)

Currently married women (ages 15-49):60

72% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure:61

Education expenditure (% GDP):1.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):3.3% national budget (2015 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues:62

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; drought

International environmental agreements:63

party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Climate:64

hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Land use:65

agricultural land:44.9% (2023 est.)
arable land:3.9% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:0.1% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:40.8% (2023 est.)
forest:11.3% (2023 est.)
other:43.8% (2023 est.)

Urbanization:66

urban population:21.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions:67

total emissions:1.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:1.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions:68

20.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions:69

energy:59.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture:696 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste:120.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
other:12.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling:70

municipal solid waste generated annually:2.681 million tons (2024 est.)

Total water withdrawal:71

municipal:193 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial:225 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural:240 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources:72

49.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name:73

conventional long form:Republic of South Sudan
conventional short form:South Sudan
etymology:self-descriptive name from the country's geographic position within Sudan prior to independence; the name Sudan derives from the Arabic balad-as-sudan , meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"

Government type:74

presidential republic

Capital:75

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

Administrative divisions:76

10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria

note:in 2015, 28 new states were created, and 4 additional states in 2017; after the 2020 peace agreement, the country was again reorganized into the 10 original states, plus 2 administrative areas, Pibor and Ruweng, and 1 special administrative status area, Abyei (which is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan)

Constitution:77

history:previous 2005 (pre-independence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011)
amendment process:proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president

Citizenship:78

citizenship by birth:no
citizenship by descent only:at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan
dual citizenship recognized:yes
residency requirement for naturalization:10 years

Suffrage:79

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:80

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
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:81

legislature name:Législature nationale (National Legislature)
legislative structure:bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber:82

chamber name:Transitional National Legislative Assembly (Al-Majlis Al-Tachirii)
number of seats:550 (all appointed)
scope of elections:full renewal
most recent election date:5/10/2021
percentage of women in chamber:32.4%
expected date of next election:December 2026

Legislative branch - upper chamber:83

chamber name:Council of States (Al-Watani)
number of seats:100 (all appointed)
scope of elections:full renewal
most recent election date:8/2/2021
percentage of women in chamber:32.1%
expected date of next election:December 2026

Judicial branch:84

highest court(s):Supreme Court of South Sudan (consists of a chief justice, deputy chief justice, and 5 additional justices); the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for 9, rather than 5 additional justices
judge selection and term of office:the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for the establishment of a Judicial Service Council to recommend prospective justices to the president, and for the justices' tenures to be set by the National Legislature
subordinate courts:national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals
note:in mid-2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an ad-hoc judiciary committee, a 12-member body led by two eminent jurists, that is charged with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reform, and restructuring the judiciary

Political parties:85

Democratic Change or DC

Democratic Forum or DF

Labour Party or LPSS

South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA

Sudan African National Union or SANU

Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO

United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF

United South Sudan African Party or USSAP

United South Sudan Party or USSP

Diplomatic representation in the US:86

chief of mission:Ambassador Santino Fardol Watod DICKEN (since 18 September 2024)
chancery:1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 600-2238
FAX:[1] (202) 644-9910
email address and website
email address and website:info.ssdembassy@gmail.com
email address and website:https://www.ssembassydc.org/

Diplomatic representation from the US:87

chief of mission:Ambassador Michael J. ADLER (since 24 August 2022)
embassy:Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba
mailing address:4420 Juba Place, Washington DC 20521-4420
telephone:[211] 912-105-188
email address and website
email address and website:ACSJuba@state.gov
email address and website:https://ss.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation:88

AU, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Independence:89

9 July 2011 (from Sudan)

National holiday:90

Independence Day, 9 July (2011)

Flag:91

description:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a five-pointed gold star is in the middle of a blue isosceles triangle based on the left side
meaning:black stands for the people, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for the land, and blue for the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the country's states
note 1:similar to the flag of Kenya
note 2:South Sudan has one of two national flags that display six colors as part of the primary design -- the other is South Africa's

National symbol(s):92

African fish eagle

National color(s):93

red, green, blue, yellow, black, white

National anthem(s):94

title:"South Sudan Oyee!" (South Sudan, Hooray!)
lyrics/music:collective/Mido SAMUEL and Juba University students
history:adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest

Economy

Economic overview:95

low-income, oil-based Sahelian economy; extreme poverty and food insecurity; COVID-19 and ongoing violence threaten socioeconomic potential; environmentally fragile; ongoing land and property rights issues; natural resource rich but lacks infrastructure

Real GDP (purchasing power parity):96

$6.752 billion (2023 est.)

$6.585 billion (2022 est.)

$6.945 billion (2021 est.)

note:data in 2015 dollars

Real GDP growth rate:97

-5.2% (2017 est.)

-13.9% (2016 est.)

-10.8% (2015 est.)

note:annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita:98

$400 (2023 est.)

$400 (2022 est.)

$400 (2021 est.)

note:data in 2015 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):99

GDP: 11,997,800,760.22 current US dollars (2015)

$4.629 billion (2023 est.)

note:data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices):101

91.4% (2024 est.)

2.4% (2023 est.)

-6.7% (2022 est.)

note:annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:102

agriculture:10.4% (2015 est.)
industry:33.1% (2015 est.)
services:56.6% (2015 est.)
note:figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agricultural products:103

milk, cassava, sorghum, goat milk, vegetables, fruits, groundnuts, sesame seeds, beef, maize (2023)

note:top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industrial production growth rate:104

-36.8% (2015 est.)

note:annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force:105

5.091 million (2023 est.)

note:number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate:106

12.5% (2023 est.)

12.6% (2022 est.)

14.1% (2021 est.)

note:% of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):107

total:18.5% (2023 est.)
male:19.4% (2023 est.)
female:17.6% (2023 est.)
note:% of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line:108

82.3% (2016 est.)

note:% of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:109

44 (2016 est.)

note:index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share:110

lowest 10%:1.8% (2016 est.)
highest 10%:33% (2016 est.)
note:% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances:111

9.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

0% of GDP (2014 est.)

0% of GDP (2013 est.)

note:personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget:112

revenues:$2.513 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures:$1.984 billion (2023 est.)
note:central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt:113

86.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance:114

$577.9 million (2023 est.)

-$596.748 million (2022 est.)

-$6.55 million (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports:115

$4.499 billion (2023 est.)

$5.811 billion (2022 est.)

$4.652 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners:116

China 51%, Singapore 29%, UAE 10%, Germany 4%, Uganda 3% (2023)

note:top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities:117

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, forage crops, gold, scrap iron (2023)

note:top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports:118

$4.443 billion (2023 est.)

$6.402 billion (2022 est.)

$4.037 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners:119

Uganda 33%, UAE 26%, Kenya 14%, China 10%, USA 3% (2023)

note:top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities:120

garments, cement, other foods, iron bars, cereal flours (2023)

note:top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:121

$72.881 million (2023 est.)

$94.914 million (2022 est.)

$341.932 million (2021 est.)

note:holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Exchange rates:122

Currency:South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar -

2,163.104 (2024 est.)

930.331 (2023 est.)

534.511 (2022 est.)

306.355 (2021 est.)

165.907 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:123

electrification - total population:8.4% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas:15%
electrification - rural areas:1.7%

Electricity:124

installed generating capacity:136,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption:566.034 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:23.966 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources:125

fossil fuels:93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:6.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal:126

imports:100 metric tons (2022 est.)

Petroleum:127

total petroleum production:146,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption:11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves:3.75 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita:128

Total energy consumption per capita 2023:2.092 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:129

total subscriptions:0 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular:130

total subscriptions:6.17 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:30 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media:131

1 state-controlled TV channel and radio station; several community and commercial FM stations, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts available (2019)

Internet country code:132

.ss

Internet users:133

percent of population:9% (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions:134

total:0 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:135

Z8

Airports:136

89 (2025)

Heliports:137

2 (2025)

Railways:138

total:248 km (2018)
note:a narrow gauge, single-track railroad between Babonosa (Sudan) and Wau, the only existing rail system, was repaired in 2010 with $250 million in UN funds, but is not currently operational

Military and Security

Military and security forces:139

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:140

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.)

Military and security service personnel strengths:141

information varies; estimated 150-200,000 active Defense Forces (2025)

note:some active SSPDF personnel may be militia; the National/Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) were expected to have up to 80,000 personnel when training and integration is completed; the first batch of approximately 20,000 NUF personnel completed training in late 2022

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:142

the SSPDF inventory is comprised primarily of Soviet-era equipment; South Sudan has been under a UN arms embargo since 2018 (2024)

Military service age and obligation:143

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; 12-24 months service (2023)

Military - note:144

the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) are largely focused on border and internal security; areas of concern include disputed national borders, conflict spillover from neighboring Sudan, banditry, and armed rebel groups and militias that continue to operate in the country since the civil war ended in 2020

the SSPDF, formerly the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), was founded as a guerrilla movement against the Sudanese Government in 1983 and participated in the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005); the Juba Declaration that followed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 unified the SPLA and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF), the second-largest rebel militia remaining from the civil war, under the SPLA name; in 2017, the SPLA was renamed the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and in September 2018 was renamed again as the SSPDF

the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS has about 18,000 personnel assigned; the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; its mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA has approximately 3,800 personnel assigned (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons:145

refugees:517,471 (2024 est.)
IDPs:1,359,795 (2024 est.)
stateless persons:18,000 (2024 est.)

Trafficking in persons:146

tier rating:Tier 3 — South Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, South Sudan remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/south-sudan/

Additional observations

Real GDP growth147
-10.79 % annual change (2015)
Consumer price inflation148
91.44 % annual change (2024)
Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate)149
12.37 % of labor force (2023)
Access to electricity150
5.4 % of population (2024)
Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption151
32.4 % (2021)
Individuals using the internet152
6.67 % of population (2019)
Adult literacy rate153
26.83 % of people aged 15 and over (2008)
Government education expenditure154
1.57 % of GDP (2016)

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 646,883 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 644,329 square kilometers. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Surface area. Surface area: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 646,883 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 644,329 square kilometers. ↩
  7. Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Coastline. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Maritime claims. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Irrigated land. Reference edition; observation: 2012. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Major rivers (by length in km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  18. Major watersheds (area sq km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  20. Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 12,188,788 people (2025). Reference: 12,703,714 people (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  22. Population. Population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 12,188,788 people (2025). Reference: 12,703,714 people (2024). ↩
  23. Nationality. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  24. Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: 2011 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  25. Languages. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  26. Religions. Reference edition; observation: 2020 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  27. Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  28. Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  29. Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  30. Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  31. Population growth rate. Population growth rate: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  32. Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  33. Crude birth rate. Crude birth rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  34. Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  35. Crude death rate. Crude death rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  36. Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  37. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  38. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  39. Urban population. Urban population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  40. Major urban areas - population. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  41. Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  42. Maternal mortality ratio. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  43. Maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality ratio: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  44. Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  45. Infant mortality rate. Infant mortality rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  46. Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  47. Life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  48. Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  49. Total fertility rate. Total fertility rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  50. Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  51. Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  52. At least basic drinking water services. At least basic drinking water services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  53. Health expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  54. Current health expenditure. Current health expenditure: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  55. Physician density. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  56. Physicians. Physicians: observation 2022; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  57. Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  58. At least basic sanitation services. At least basic sanitation services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  59. Obesity - adult prevalence rate. Reference edition; observation: 2014. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  60. Currently married women (ages 15-49). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  61. Education expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  62. Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  63. International environmental agreements. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  64. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  65. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  66. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  67. Carbon dioxide emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  68. Particulate matter emissions. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  69. Methane emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  70. Waste and recycling. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  71. Total water withdrawal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  72. Total renewable water resources. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  73. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  74. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  75. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  76. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  77. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  78. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  79. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  80. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  81. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  82. Legislative branch - lower chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  83. Legislative branch - upper chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  84. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  85. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  86. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  87. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  88. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  89. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  90. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  91. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  92. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  93. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  94. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  95. Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  96. Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  97. Real GDP growth rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  98. Real GDP per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  99. GDP (official exchange rate). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 11,997,800,760.22 current US dollars (2015). Reference: 4,629,000,000 current US dollars (2023). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  100. GDP. GDP: observation 2015; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 11,997,800,760.22 current US dollars (2015). Reference: 4,629,000,000 current US dollars (2023). ↩
  101. Inflation rate (consumer prices). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  102. GDP - composition, by sector of origin. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  103. Agricultural products. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  104. Industrial production growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2015. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  105. Labor force. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  106. Unemployment rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  107. Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  108. Population below poverty line. Reference edition; observation: 2016. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  109. Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  110. Household income or consumption by percentage share. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  111. Remittances. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  112. Budget. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  113. Public debt. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  114. Current account balance. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  115. Exports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  116. Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  117. Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  118. Imports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  119. Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  120. Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  121. Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  122. Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  123. Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  124. Electricity. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  125. Electricity generation sources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  126. Coal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  127. Petroleum. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  128. Energy consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  129. Telephones - fixed lines. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  130. Telephones - mobile cellular. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  131. Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  132. Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  133. Internet users. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  134. Broadband - fixed subscriptions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  135. Civil aircraft registration country code prefix. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  136. Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  137. Heliports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  138. Railways. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  139. Military and security forces. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  140. Military expenditures. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  141. Military and security service personnel strengths. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  142. Military equipment inventories and acquisitions. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  143. Military service age and obligation. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  144. Military - note. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  145. Refugees and internally displaced persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  146. Trafficking in persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 09:22:22 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  147. Real GDP growth. Real GDP growth: observation 2015; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This indicator denotes the percentage change over each previous year of the constant price (base year 2015) series in United States dollars. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?format=json ↩
  148. Consumer price inflation. Consumer price inflation: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?format=json ↩
  149. Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate). Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate): observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The ILO modeled estimate is not necessarily directly comparable with national unemployment measures. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?format=json ↩
  150. Access to electricity. Access to electricity: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?format=json ↩
  151. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption: observation 2021; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewable energy consumption is the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS?format=json ↩
  152. Individuals using the internet. Individuals using the internet: observation 2019; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?format=json ↩
  153. Adult literacy rate. Adult literacy rate: observation 2008; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T20:26:34.422Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Detailed documentation is available at: https://api.uis.unesco.org/api/public/documentation/, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), type: Excel (bulk file), date accessed: 2026-03-19, date published: 2026-02. definition Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
  154. Government education expenditure. Government education expenditure: observation 2016; checked 2026-10-29; primary source checked. World Bank World Development Indicators. Primary source checked 2026-10-29T20:26:27.691Z. provider release 2026-10-08. source organization Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Detailed documentation is available at: https://api.uis.unesco.org/api/public/documentation/, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), date accessed: 2026-03-19, date published: 2026-02. definition Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP). Original provider-reported country/economy series; unchanged historical boundaries are not asserted. Checked original WDI publication and metadata, not independent corroboration. ↩
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Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information