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Photo: SuSanA Secretariat derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
South Sudan
South Sudan places highest on Secondary School Enrolment (top 6% worldwide) and lowest on Youth Literacy Rate (bottom 1%).
South Sudan in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
South Sudan appears in 67 of the statistics tracked here, but is not placed in the Country Index: the index needs a standing on three quarters of its topics, and South Sudan is measured on too few of them. Every published reading below is unaffected.
At a glance
Population
11,483,374
people
since 1950
Land area
631,930
km²
since 2012
Life expectancy
57.62
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.388
HDI, 0–1
since 2010
Unemployment
12.37
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About South Sudan
Key facts about South Sudan
- Capital
- Juba
- Official language
- English
- Currency
- South Sudanese pound (SSP)
- ISO code
- SSD · SS
- Domain · dialling
- .ss · +211
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is South Sudan’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
joint132ndof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
144thof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
189thof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
170thof 177
From 3 of 3 key statistics
196thof 201
From 4 of 4 key statistics
192ndof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
193rdof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
182ndof 182
From 3 of 4 key statistics
No standing — South Sudan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — South Sudan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — South Sudan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — South Sudan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for South Sudan’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for South Sudan in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where South Sudan stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which South Sudan sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where South Sudan does best3
No area reaches the world's top third. These are South Sudan's strongest results relative to its own record. 1 is within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 8th
Position · derived 8th of 109 · 122.12 · 2024
world median 93.19 (better) · ▲ 94 pts since 2015
- Crop Production Indextop 27%
Position · derived 53rd of 195 · 117.91 · 2022
world median 106.23 (better) · ▲ 34 pts since 2012
- Water Stresstop 31%
Position · derived 123rd of 177 · 1 = worst · 4.23 · 2023
world median 10 (better)
Where South Sudan struggles most28
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 27 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stAdult Literacy Ratebottom 1%
Position · derived 172nd of 172 · 26.83 · 2024
world median 93.99 (worse)
- 1stCorruption Perceptions Indexbottom 1%
Rank 181st of 181 · 9 · 2025
world median 39 (worse) · ▼ 2 pts since 2015
- 1stExpected Years of Schoolingbottom 1%
Position · derived 195th of 195 · 5.635 · 2023
world median 13.34 (worse)
- 1stGovernment Effectivenessbottom 1%
Position · derived 209th of 209 · -2.173 · 2024
world median 0.01 (worse)
- 1st
- 1st
Position · derived 169th of 169 · 0.226 · 2023
world median 0.609 (worse)
- 1stINFORM Risk Indexbottom 1%
Position · derived 1st of 191 · 1 = worst · 8.5 · 2025
world median 3.7 (worse)
- 1stOut-of-School Rate, Primarybottom 1%
Position · derived 1st of 121 · 1 = worst · 64.73 · 2024
world median 3.691 (worse)
- 1stPrimary Completion Ratebottom 1%
Position · derived 165th of 165 · 7.94 · 2025
world median 97.43 (worse)
- 1stPrevalence of Severe Food Insecuritybottom 1%
Position · derived 1st of 127 · 1 = worst · 63.1 · 2023
world median 4.7 (worse)
- 1stStatistical Performance Indicatorsbottom 1%
Position · derived 188th of 188 · 27.12 · 2024
world median 69.3 (worse) · ▼ 5 pts since 2016
- 1stUpper Secondary Completion Ratebottom 1%
Position · derived 164th of 164 · 2.13 · 2025
world median 64.87 (worse)
- 2nd
- 2nd
Position · derived 77th of 78 · 1.625 · 2025
world median 3.246 (worse)
- 2ndCoefficient of Human Inequalitybottom 1%
Position · derived 2nd of 169 · 1 = worst · 41.69 · 2023
world median 17.05 (worse)
- 2ndOpen Data Inventorybottom 1%
Rank 167th of 168 · 20 · 2024
world median 59 (worse) · ▼ 47 pts since 2015
- 2ndPlanetary pressures-adjusted HDIbottom 1%
Position · derived 155th of 156 · 0.383 · 2023
world median 0.678 (worse)
- 3rdHuman Capital Indexbottom 1%
Position · derived 170th of 172 · 0.307 · 2020
world median 0.564 (worse)
- 3rdINFORM Severity Indexbottom 5%
Position · derived 3rd of 81 · 1 = worst · 4.5 · 2025
world median 3.1 (worse) · ▼ 4 pts since 2020
- 3rdMaternal Mortality Ratiobottom 1%
Position · derived 3rd of 195 · 1 = worst · 691.82 · 2023
world median 46.65 (worse) · ▼ 3 pts since 2013
- 3rdRegulatory Qualitybottom 1%
Position · derived 207th of 209 · -1.93 · 2024
world median -0.09 (worse) · ▼ 2 pts since 2014
- 3rd
- 4thChild Marriagebottom 2%
Position · derived 4th of 143 · 1 = worst · 51.5 · 2025
world median 17.1 (worse)
- 4thPre-Primary Net Enrolment Ratebottom 3%
Position · derived 117th of 120 · 8.766 · 2024
world median 65.93 (worse)
- 5thLife Expectancy at Birthbottom 2%
Position · derived 218th of 222 · 57.62 · 2023
world median 74.63 (worse) · ▼ 5 pts since 2013
- 5thUnder-Five Mortality Ratebottom 2%
Position · derived 5th of 200 · 1 = worst · 96.71 · 2024
world median 14.54 (worse)
- 6thVoice and Accountabilitybottom 2%
Position · derived 203rd of 208 · -1.892 · 2024
world median -0.02 (worse)
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so South Sudan can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
182nd
of 191 · 2010
193rd
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 14 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
172nd
of 174 · 2013
181st
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 13 of 14 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
177th
of 181 · 2022
194th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 4 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where South Sudan has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Food Production Index+15 pts since 2012
Losing ground
Where South Sudan has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Cost of Sending Remittances-34 pts since 2016
- Global Report on Food Crises-10 pts since 2016
05In context
South Sudan and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world.
- =46
Mauritius - =118
Rwanda - 122
Kenya - 124
Zambia - 127
Tanzania - 129
Uganda - 130
Malawi - 142
Ethiopia - 147
Mozambique - 149
Zimbabwe - 153
Comoros - 155
Madagascar - 156
Djibouti - 157
Burundi - 174
Somalia - —
Eritreanot placed - —
Seychellesnot placed - —Somalilandnot placed
- —South Sudannot placed
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for South Sudan
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions15
Civic Space Ratings165th of 198position · derived21Civic space score (0–100)2025
bottom 17% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
South Sudan 21 · world median 50.46 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationbottom 5%35.4Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
bottom 5% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
South Sudan 35.4 · world median 98.4 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index181st of 181rank9CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
bottom 1% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
South Sudan 9 · world median 39 (worse)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment77th of 78position · derived1.625IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)2025
bottom 1% of 78 countries measured
World Bank Group · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)
South Sudan 1.625 · world median 3.246 (worse)
Best in the world 4.225 (Rwanda)
No real change since 2015
Government AI Readiness Index194th of 195rank12.2AI readiness score (0–100)2025
bottom 1% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
South Sudan 12.2 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
No real change since 2022
Government Effectiveness209th of 209position · derived-2.173Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
bottom 1% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
South Sudan -2.173 · world median 0.01 (worse)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
No real change since 2014
Open Data Inventory167th of 168rank20ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
bottom 1% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
South Sudan 20 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
▼ -47 percentile points since 2015
Public Sector Wage Bill96th of 168position · derived7.328Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
bottom 43% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
South Sudan 7.328 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
▼ -31 percentile points since 2012
Regulatory Quality207th of 209position · derived-1.93Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 1% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
South Sudan -1.93 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law209th of 211position · derived-1.973Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 1% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
South Sudan -1.973 · world median -0.1 (worse)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
No real change since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators188th of 188position · derived27.12SPI overall score (0–100)2024
bottom 1% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
South Sudan 27.12 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2016
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index164th of 176position · derived0.133Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
bottom 7% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
South Sudan 0.133 · world median 0.497 (worse)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
No real change since 2015
Voice and Accountability203rd of 208position · derived-1.892Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 2% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
South Sudan -1.892 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
No real change since 2014
Women, Business and the Law146th of 190position · derived67.5WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
bottom 23% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
South Sudan 67.5 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation8
Agricultural Land78th of 209position · derived44.86Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
top 37% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
South Sudan 44.86 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Cereal Yield161st of 179position · derived983.6Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
bottom 10% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
South Sudan 983.6 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Crop Production Index53rd of 195position · derived117.91Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
top 27% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
South Sudan 117.91 · world median 106.23 (better)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▲ +34 percentile points since 2012
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare186th of 188position · derived0.187Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
bottom 3% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
South Sudan 0.187 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
No real change since 2013
Food Production Index62nd of 195position · derived114.76Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
top 31% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
South Sudan 114.76 · world median 106.08 (better)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2012
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index169th of 169position · derived0.226IHDI (0–1)2023
bottom 1% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
South Sudan 0.226 · world median 0.609 (worse)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Density123rd of 188position · derived0.37Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
bottom 35% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
South Sudan 0.37 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2013
Livestock Production Index74th of 194position · derived113.15Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
top 38% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
South Sudan 113.15 · world median 107.06 (better)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2012
Work & Labour1
Firms with a Female Top Manager139th of 179position · derived10.55Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
bottom 22% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
South Sudan 10.55 · world median 19.16 (worse)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Education & Knowledge9
Adult Literacy Rate172nd of 172position · derived26.83Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
bottom 1% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
South Sudan 26.83 · world median 93.99 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling195th of 195position · derived5.635Expected years of schooling2023
bottom 1% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
South Sudan 5.635 · world median 13.34 (worse)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
No real change since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling163rd of 193position · derived5.73Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
bottom 16% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
South Sudan 5.73 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary1st of 121position · derived · 1 = worst64.73Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
bottom 1% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
South Sudan 64.73 · world median 3.691 (worse)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
No real change since 2015
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate117th of 120position · derived8.766Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)2024
bottom 3% of 120 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)
South Sudan 8.766 · world median 65.93 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Moldova)
No real change since 2015
Primary Completion Rate165th of 165position · derived7.94Primary completion rate (%)2025
bottom 1% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
South Sudan 7.94 · world median 97.43 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
Secondary School Enrolment8th of 109position · derived122.12Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)2024
top 6% of 109 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)
South Sudan 122.12 · world median 93.19 (better)
Best in the world 158.55 (Monaco)
▲ +94 percentile points since 2015
Upper Secondary Completion Rate164th of 164position · derived2.13Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
bottom 1% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
South Sudan 2.13 · world median 64.87 (worse)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
No real change since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratebottom 1%36.715–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
bottom 1% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
South Sudan 36.7 · world median 98.22 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing13
Dietary Energy Supply130th of 155position · derived2,463Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)2024
bottom 16% of 155 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
South Sudan 2,463 · world median 2,982 (worse)
Best in the world 3,962 (United States)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2020
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months57th of 136position · derived44.54Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
top 41% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
South Sudan 44.54 · world median 40.74 (better)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Global Report on Food Crises1st of 44position · derived · 1 = worst56In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)2024
bottom 1% of 44 countries measured
Food Security Information Network (FSIN) · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)
South Sudan 56 · world median 22 (worse)
Best in the world 3 (El Salvador)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2016
Global Violent Deaths22nd of 206position · derived · 1 = worst32.12Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
bottom 10% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
South Sudan 32.12 · world median 4.02 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▲ +8 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index170th of 172position · derived0.307HCI score (0–1)2020
bottom 1% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
South Sudan 0.307 · world median 0.564 (worse)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
No real change since 2017
Human Development Index193rd of 193rank0.388HDI score (0–1)2023
bottom 1% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
South Sudan 0.388 · world median 0.762 (worse)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
No real change since 2013
INFORM Severity Index3rd of 81position · derived · 1 = worst4.5INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)2025
bottom 5% of 81 countries measured
ACAPS · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)
South Sudan 4.5 · world median 3.1 (worse)
Best in the world 1.3 (Trinidad and Tobago)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2020
Life Expectancy at Birth218th of 222position · derived57.62Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
bottom 2% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
South Sudan 57.62 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio3rd of 195position · derived · 1 = worst691.82Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
bottom 1% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
South Sudan 691.82 · world median 46.65 (worse)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity1st of 127position · derived · 1 = worst63.1Population in severe food insecurity (%)2023
bottom 1% of 133 countries measured · 133 share 127 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population in severe food insecurity (%)
South Sudan 63.1 · world median 4.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (7 countries tied)
No real change since 2017
Prevalence of Undernourishment19th of 104position · derived · 1 = worst22.3Population undernourished (%)2023
bottom 11% of 165 countries measured · 165 share 104 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population undernourished (%)
South Sudan 22.3 · world median 5.2 (worse)
Best in the world 2.5 (62 countries tied)
No real change since 2020
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five28th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst31.28Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
bottom 17% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
South Sudan 31.28 · world median 13.8 (worse)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate5th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst96.71Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
bottom 2% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
South Sudan 96.71 · world median 14.54 (worse)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Development & Human Capital8
Access to Electricitybottom 1%5.4Population with electricity access (%)2024
bottom 1% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
South Sudan 5.4 · world median 100 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
No real change since 2014
Arable Land per Person55th of 206position · derived0.217Arable land (hectares per person)2023
top 26% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
South Sudan 0.217 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
No real change since 2013
Child Marriage4th of 143position · derived · 1 = worst51.5Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
bottom 2% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
South Sudan 51.5 · world median 17.1 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Coefficient of Human Inequality2nd of 169position · derived · 1 = worst41.69Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
bottom 1% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
South Sudan 41.69 · world median 17.05 (worse)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
No real change since 2013
Cost of Sending Remittances15th of 93position · derived · 1 = worst6.47Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)2023
bottom 15% of 93 countries measured
World Bank Group · Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)
South Sudan 6.47 · world median 3.225 (worse)
Best in the world -49.69 (Malawi)
▼ -34 percentile points since 2016
Land Under Cereal Production77th of 179position · derived1,104,151Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
top 42% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
South Sudan 1,104,151 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
No real change since 2013
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI155th of 156position · derived0.383PHDI (0–1)2023
bottom 1% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
South Sudan 0.383 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
No real change since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector114th of 171position · derived36.47Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
bottom 34% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
South Sudan 36.47 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2012
Environment & Sustainability7
Agricultural Emissions30th of 193position · derived57,014Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
top 15% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
South Sudan 57,014 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Forest Area157th of 210position · derived11.33Forest area (% of land area)2023
bottom 26% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
South Sudan 11.33 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Internal Displacements by Disaster17th of 160position · derived · 1 = worst423,000New displacements by disaster (people)2024
bottom 10% of 160 countries measured
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) · New displacements by disaster (people)
South Sudan 423,000 · world median 4,750 (worse)
Best in the world 1 (Serbia)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2014
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita94th of 181position · derived2,359Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
bottom 48% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
South Sudan 2,359 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation179th of 190position · derived1.786Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
bottom 7% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
South Sudan 1.786 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
No real change since 2014
Water Stress123rd of 177position · derived · 1 = worst4.23Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
top 31% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
South Sudan 4.23 · world median 10 (better)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index97th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst4.17WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
top 50% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
South Sudan 4.17 · world median 4.17
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Gender & Equality1
Social Institutions and Gender Index36th of 140position · derived · 1 = worst40.6SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)2023
bottom 25% of 140 countries measured
OECD · SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)
South Sudan 40.6 · world median 25.2 (worse)
Best in the world 6.7 (Norway)
No earlier reading to compare
Peace & Security5
Deaths in Organized Violence21st of 59position · derived · 1 = worst661Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
bottom 10% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
South Sudan 661 · world median 0 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Global Militarisation Index20th of 149rank · 1 = worst179.32GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)2023
bottom 13% of 149 countries measured
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) · GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
South Sudan 179.32 · world median 100.66 (worse)
Best in the world 3.512 (Haiti)
No real change since 2013
INFORM Risk Index1st of 191position · derived · 1 = worst8.5INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
bottom 1% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
South Sudan 8.5 · world median 3.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
No real change since 2016
Physical Violence Index144th of 176position · derived0.324Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
bottom 18% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
South Sudan 0.324 · world median 0.79 (worse)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +13 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence189th of 211position · derived-1.49Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 10% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
South Sudan -1.49 · world median 0.04 (worse)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include South Sudan. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution · last seen 2021
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2015
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Agriculture Orientation Index · last seen 2022
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Average Weekly Hours Worked · last seen 2023
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff · last seen 2010
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Cereal Import Dependency Ratio
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2011
- Debt Service on External Debt
- Ecological Footprint
- Economic Complexity Index
- Employment in Agriculture · last seen 2023
- Employment in Industry · last seen 2023
- Employment in Services · last seen 2023
- Employment-to-Population Ratio · last seen 2023
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Female Labour Force Participation Rate · last seen 2023
- Female Share of Senior and Middle Management
- GDP Growth · last seen 2015
- GDP per Capita (PPP)
- GDP per Person Employed
- Gender Development Index
- Gender Inequality Index
- Gender Social Norms Index
- General Government Consumption
- Gini Index · last seen 2016
- Global Innovation Index
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index · last seen 2022
- GNI per Capita (PPP)
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2011
- Government Spending on Education · last seen 2016
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Gross Savings (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Household Consumption
- ICT Goods Exports
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20% · last seen 2016
- Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Informal Employment Rate
- Labour Force Participation Rate · last seen 2023
- Labour Income Share · last seen 2023
- Labour Productivity per Hour Worked · last seen 2023
- Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
- Logistics Performance Index
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Net Official Development Assistance Received · last seen 2015
- Organic Agricultural Area
- Pesticide Use per Hectare
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2016
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2016
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day · last seen 2016
- Prosperity Gap · last seen 2016
- Public Sector Employment
- Research and Development Spending
- School Life Expectancy
- Self-Employment Rate · last seen 2023
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio
- Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Trade (% of GDP) · last seen 2015
- Trade Union Density
- Unemployment Rate · last seen 2023
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2008
- Violent Discipline of Children
- Vulnerable Employment · last seen 2023
- Working Poverty Rate
- World Energy Trilemma Index
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training · last seen 2008
- Youth Unemployment Rate · last seen 2023
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why South Sudan can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 25 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of South Sudan on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Sudan: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-sudan