Statistical Consultants Ltd

Statistics about South Sudan

Economics, Geography, Demographics, Data

Date posted: 23 July 2011

At the time of writing, South Sudan recently became Earth’s newest nation.

From the South Sudan Government website:

Let's begin building our nation

The Republic of South Sudan is at the tail end of economic development. All the indices of human welfare put its citizens at the bottom of all humanity. The independence we are now celebrating transfers the responsibility for our destiny and reversing the tide underdevelopment to our own hands. The challenges are great but we must begin the task of nation building immediately.

All the citizens of this great nation must therefore fully dedicate their energies and resources to the construction of a vibrant state. Economic development is a vital key to human prosperity and satisfaction. Our country is endowed with vast natural resources. We must work to harness these resources for the good of our people and nation. We must build and apply the human capital necessary to translate these resources accordingly.

One of the economic sectors we must prioritize is agriculture. Our country has vast fertile arable land and several months of rainfall every year. We have the potential to become the breadbasket of the region. We should never import basic food commodities we are capable to produce locally. Let us be ready to make our hands dirty but fill our lives.

We will also pursue investment in other sectors such as tourism, hydroelectricity generation, physical infrastructure development, social services and amenities, hospitality, mining, forest resources, food processing and sports, to mention but a few.

The eyes of the world are on us. Everyone is watching us closely to see whether our first steps in nationhood are steady and confident. We must rise to the occasion and prove that we are capable of playing our honest part in the international community of nations. What are you doing for your country today?

The following statistics were taken (mostly) from the Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation website.

Population and Area Statistics

Source: 5th Population and Housing Census (2008)

Population: 8.26 million
Male Population: 4.29 million
Female Population: 3.97 million

South Sudan has a very young population:

16% of the population are under the age of 5
32% are under the age of 10
51% are under the age of 18
72% are under the age of 30

Rural population rate: 83%

Total Area: 644,329 sq. km
Population density: 13 / sq. km (214^th lowest out of 241 sovereign states and dependent territories)

Literacy and Education Statistics

Source (unless otherwise stated): National Baseline Household Survey (2009)

Adult literacy rate (15 years and over): 27%
Male adult literacy rate: 40%
Female adult literacy rate: 16%

Literacy rate for population aged 15-24: 40%
Male literacy rate (15-24): 55%
Female literacy rate (15-24): 28%

Urban adult literacy rate: 53%
Rural adult literacy rate: 22%

Only 37% of the population above six years of age has ever attended school.

In 2009 there were 52 students per teacher, and 129 students per classroom.
Source: National Educational Statistical Booklet, EMIS, Ministry of Education (2009)

Health and Sanitation Statistics

Infant Mortality Rate: 102 (per 1000 live births)
Under 5 Mortality Rate: 135 (per 1000 live births)
Maternal Mortality Rate: 2054 (per 100,000 live births)
Source: Southern Sudan Household Health Survey (2006)

17.3% of children (aged 12-23 months) had received all of the vaccinations recommended by the WHO (World Health Organisation).
Source: Southern Sudan Household Health Survey (2006)

80% of the population doesn’t have access to any toilet facility.
60% of households own at least one mosquito net.
Source: National Baseline Household Survey (2009)

Household Characteristics and Business / Economic Activity Statistics

83% of the population live in tukuls (circular mud and wattle structures with tall thatched roofs and generally no windows).
38% of the population has to walk for more than 30 minutes one way to collect drinking water.
50% of the population use firewood or grass as the primary source of lighting. 27% have no lighting at all.
96% of the population uses firewood or charcoal as the primary fuel for cooking.
15% of households own a phone (59% in urban areas, 8% in rural areas).
Source: National Baseline Household Survey (2009)

There are on average seven members per private household.
Source: 5th Population and Housing Census (2008)

78% of households depend on crop farming or animal husbandry as their primary source of livelihood.
1% of households in Southern Sudan have a bank account.
Source: National Baseline Household Survey (2009)

53% of the working population in Southern Sudan were unpaid family workers, while 12% were paid employees.
Source: Census Long Form Questionnaire (2008)

There are a total of 7,333 formal businesses in the ten state capitals of Southern Sudan. 84% of these businesses are shops or restaurants.
Source: Business Survey Listing (2010)

External Links:

Government of South Sudan
Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation
Southern Sudan Household Health Survey (2006)