Introduction
Background
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is the world’s newest country. When Sudan attained independence in 1956, the southerners were assured of full participation in the political system, but the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises. Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. Implementation of a 2018 peace agreement has been stalled as South Sudanese leaders wrangle over power-sharing.
Geography
Area
total: 644,329 sq km
Climate
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
Natural resources
hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver
People and Society
Population
total: 12,703,714
male: 6,476,341
female: 6,227,373 (2024 est.)
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.)
Languages
English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk
Religions
Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
4.65% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Juba
Executive branch
chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, TABAN Deng Gai, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (all since 22 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, TABAN Deng Gai, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (all since 22 February 2020)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Legislature consists of:
Council of States, pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal
Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan; note - originally 400 seats; the TNLA was expanded to 550 members from 400 and reestablished in May 2020 under the 2018 peace agreement
Economy
Economic overview
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)
$20.01 billion (2017 est.)
$21.1 billion (2016 est.)
$24.52 billion (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$1,600 (2017 est.)
$1,700 (2016 est.)
$2,100 (2015 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, cassava, sorghum, goat milk, vegetables, fruits, maize, groundnuts, sesame seeds, beef (2022)
Exports
$5.811 billion (2022 est.)
$4.652 billion (2021 est.)
$2.344 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
China 44%, Italy 26%, Singapore 12%, Japan 9%, UAE 8% (2022)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, forage crops, barley (2022)
Imports
$6.402 billion (2022 est.)
$4.037 billion (2021 est.)
$4.245 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
UAE 39%, Kenya 18%, China 17%, US 4%, India 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
garments, cars, trucks, packaged medicine, malt extract (2022)
Exchange rates
South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
534.511 (2022 est.)
306.355 (2021 est.)
165.907 (2020 est.)
157.999 (2019 est.)
141.386 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
