South Sudan: Statistical Overview

Total Population: 11,943,408

Natural Increase: 3.9%

Density: 17 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 21.6%

Ethnic Origins: The population of South Sudan is composed of different communities. The Dinkas constitute the largest community. There are also the Shiluk and the Nuer, which are Nilotic communities. The Zandes and the Jur Chol live in the West and the Acholis and the Lotuhus live in the extreme South.

Official Language: English

Other Languages Spoken: One finds a large amount of vernacular languages in South Sudan, recognized as "national languages" by the Constitution and spoken by about two million persons.  Notably: Bary, Toposa, Zande and the Moro-Madi languages.  The most important vernacular language is Nuer-Dinka which accounts for more than 1.3 million speakers.  The Arabic language from Juba is also largely wide-spread.

Business Language(s): English

Religion: Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1%

Literacy Rate: 28.0%

Area: 646,883 km²

Type of State: Federal presidential democratic republic.

Type of Economy: Low-income, primarily agricultural economy dependent on international aid..
South Sudan faces major economic challenges related to conflict, inflation and dependence on oil, which are impacting the standard of living of the population.

HDI*: 0.388/1

HDI (World Rank): 191/192

Telephone Code:
To call from South Sudan, dial 00
To call South Sudan, dial 211

Internet Suffix: .sd

Households with a computer: 4.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 5.4% of the Population