GeoRealityMatch
Lush trees and rocky terrain in Kaduqli, Sudan showcasing rural beauty and broad horizons.Stunning aerial shot of Baylah, Sudan showcasing hills, fields, and townscape under a blue sky with clouds.

South Sudan

Africa · Middle Africa

Low development

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the whole country. It is among the least peaceful countries.

Source: FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

Safety

156th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
3.116lower is more peacefulVery low safety
#156 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Health

Among the shortest life expectancies

Life expectancy
57.7years, at birthVery low
#193 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
41WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very lowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
21.8PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageHighWHO · 2023
Work and internet
Unemployment rate
12.4%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2023
Stunning aerial shot of Baylah, Sudan showcasing hills, fields, and townscape under a blue sky with clouds.
How it changed

South Sudan's Human Development Index

0.388Low human development

193rd of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 54th of 54 in Africa.

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. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #191Central African Republic0.414
  2. #192Somalia0.404
  3. #193South Sudan0.388
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2010

Year by year

Human development fell from 0.420 in 2010 to 0.388 in 2023.

0.250.350.450.388201020232010: 0.4202011: 0.4222012: 0.3892013: 0.3912014: 0.3432015: 0.3172016: 0.2972017: 0.2922018: 0.3712019: 0.4032020: 0.3982021: 0.3932022: 0.3882023: 0.3880.250.350.45201020232010: 0.4202011: 0.4222012: 0.3892013: 0.3912014: 0.3432015: 0.3172016: 0.2972017: 0.2922018: 0.3712019: 0.4032020: 0.3982021: 0.3932022: 0.3882023: 0.388

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 14 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
57.7 years2024at birthUp 3.8 years from 54 years in 2005
Urban population
22%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 5 points from 17% in 2006
Births per woman
3.792024births per womanDown 2.23 from 6.02 in 2005
Access to electricity
5%2024of people with electricityUp 5 points from 1% in 2007
Infant mortality
722024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 24 from 96 in 2005

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

World's newest country; a devastating civil war, with oil wealth squandered by conflict. The case against is the UK's advice against travel, a low peace ranking and short lives.

About 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.

Practical facts

  • CapitalJuba
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • CurrencySouth Sudanese pound (SSP)
  • Area631,930 km²
  • Plug typeType C/D/G
  • Drives on theright
Every figure

Everything we hold on South Sudan

Compare South Sudan

Borders

Central African RepublicDR CongoEthiopiaKenyaSudanUganda

Side by side

Compare any two countries

Quick answers

What is South Sudan's Human Development Index?

South Sudan's Human Development Index is 0.388 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #193 of 193 by UNDP.

Is South Sudan safe?

South Sudan scores 3.12 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #156 of 161 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.