South Sudan
Africa · Middle Africa
World's newest country; a devastating civil war, with oil wealth squandered by conflict.
At a Glance
📈South Sudan's Human Development Index
0.381
Low human development#190 of 191 countries worldwide, #53 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 1% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →South Sudan
South Sudan is the world's newest country, a vast and flat land of savanna, swamps, and the White Nile, with one of the most diverse collections of ethnic and linguistic cultures in Africa. The Dinka and Nuer peoples have traditions of cattle culture, oral history, and ceremony that are remarkable in their complexity and depth. It remains one of the most challenging destinations in the world, suited only to those with extensive experience and specific purpose.
- World's newest country, independent only since 2011.
- Descended into civil war less than three years after independence.
- Has some of the world's largest oil reserves — most of which flow through Sudan, its former parent state.
Quick Facts
Capital
Juba
Language
English
Currency
£ SSP
Area
631,930 km²
Nomad Hub
Inflation
91.4%
Unemployment
12.4%
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 2010
0.406 → 0.381 (-0.025)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 13 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is South Sudan's Human Development Index?
South Sudan's Human Development Index is 0.381 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #190 of 191 countries.
Is South Sudan safe?
South Sudan scores 3.12 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #155 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in South Sudan?
Life expectancy at birth in South Sudan is 57.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #193 of 195 countries.