People and Society of South Sudan

Nationality

South Sudanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Dinka, Kakwa, Bari, Azande, Shilluk, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi

Population

11,088,796

Population in Major Urban Areas

JUBA (capital) 269,000

Persons with conditions which may require medical treatment are strongly discouraged from traveling to South Sudan. Medical facilities in Juba fall far short of western standards; outside the capital, few hospitals exist; hospitals and clinics are often poorly equipped and staffed. If you need medical treatment, you must pay cash in advance for it. Ambulance services are not available outside Juba. Not all medicines are regularly available; you should carry sufficient supplies of needed medicines in clearly-marked containers. Routine immunizations and vaccinations for diseases such as yellow fever, rabies, polio, meningitis, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B are recommended. Malaria is prevalent in all areas of South Sudan. The strain is resistant to chloroquine and can be fatal. Consult a health practitioner before traveling, obtain suitable anti-malarial drugs, and use protective measures, such as insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito nets. If you become ill with a fever or a flu-like illness while in South Sudan, or within a year after departure, you should promptly seek medical care and inform your physician of your travel history and the kind of anti-malarial drugs used. For additional information about malaria and anti-malarial drugs, please see the Center for Disease Control information on malaria. Polio cases have recently been reported in the country again after an absence since 2009.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in South Sudan remains among the lowest in the world, reflecting the severe humanitarian, medical, and infrastructural challenges the country has faced since gaining independence in 2011. Current estimates place average life expectancy at approximately 55 years, with women generally outliving men by a modest margin. These figures are shaped by a combination of deeply rooted factors. Decades of conflict, including the civil war that erupted in 2013 and continued with devastating effect through the late 2010s, displaced millions of people and dismantled what little healthcare infrastructure existed. A fragile peace agreement signed in 2018 brought some reduction in large-scale violence, though localized conflict and intercommunal fighting have continued to disrupt civilian life and humanitarian access. Access to clean water, sanitation, and consistent nutrition remains limited for a large portion of the population, contributing to high rates of preventable illness and child mortality. Infant and child mortality rates are particularly significant drivers of the low life expectancy figure. South Sudan has one of the highest under-five mortality rates globally, with diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrheal illness, and measles claiming the lives of many children before they reach school age. Maternal mortality is also a serious concern, as skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care are difficult to access in many regions, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas. Communicable diseases continue to place a heavy burden on the population. Malaria is endemic throughout much of the country and remains a leading cause of death. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) also affect significant portions of the population and strain an already fragile health system. Outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases further compound the public health burden, particularly during periods of flooding and mass displacement. Investment in healthcare has been constrained by limited government revenues, ongoing insecurity, and widespread poverty. The majority of healthcare services continue to be delivered by international NGOs and UN agencies rather than a functioning national health system. Despite these challenges, international health interventions, vaccination campaigns, and incremental stabilization efforts have created cautious optimism that health outcomes may gradually improve in the years ahead, provided that peace can be sustained and investment in essential services increased.

Infant Mortality Rate

South Sudan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the severe public health challenges the country faces following decades of conflict and instability. According to recent estimates, approximately 63 to 65 infants die per 1,000 live births before reaching their first birthday, placing South Sudan among the most affected nations globally. Several interconnected factors drive this alarming rate. The country's healthcare infrastructure remains critically underdeveloped, with a severe shortage of trained medical personnel, functioning health facilities, and essential medicines. Many mothers give birth without access to skilled attendants, dramatically increasing the risk of complications for both mother and child. Neonatal causes — including birth asphyxia, infections, and prematurity — account for a significant share of infant deaths. Infectious diseases are a leading cause of infant mortality. Malaria, diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, and measles continue to claim the lives of many children under one year of age. Malnutrition compounds these risks substantially, as infants born to malnourished mothers often have low birth weights and weakened immune systems. Food insecurity, which affects a large proportion of the South Sudanese population due to ongoing conflict and displacement, directly undermines child survival. Clean water access remains limited across much of the country, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. Without safe water and proper sanitation, waterborne illnesses spread rapidly among vulnerable infant populations. Vaccination coverage, while the subject of sustained international health campaigns, remains inconsistent. Humanitarian organizations and global health bodies have worked to expand immunization programs for diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria, but ongoing insecurity and logistical barriers continue to limit outreach. Despite the bleak overall picture, gradual improvements have been documented over the past two decades. In 2000, infant mortality estimates exceeded 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning the rate has declined meaningfully, though it remains far above the global average of roughly 27 per 1,000 live births. Continued investment in primary healthcare, maternal health services, nutrition programs, and conflict resolution will be essential to sustaining and accelerating progress.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants) (official), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

Crime Information

High unemployment and severe economic downturn have encouraged criminal activity. Following an increase in security-related incidents in Juba, the government-imposed a curfew of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. U.S. embassy is observing this curfew to better ensure the safety of its personnel. You should try to avoid crowded public areas and public gatherings, and avoid traveling alone if possible. Report all incidents of crime to the South Sudanese police. Carjackings and banditry occur in South Sudan. Travel outside of Juba should be undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in South Sudan, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen. You may be questioned or detained by police if you don’t have your passport with you. South Sudan’s security services commit arbitrary arrests and often detain foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens. The country’s legal system is rudimentary and sometimes ineffective. U.S. citizens may have little recourse to justice should they be detained and legal proceedings can be lengthy and seemingly subjective. Contractual and other business disputes with local partners may not be resolved in a manner that is consistent with international practices and judicial fairness. Security forces often operate outside civilian control, and do not always follow laws governing due process and treatment of detainees. If you break local laws in South Sudan, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not while you’re in South Sudan. Penalties for breaking the law may be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating South Sudan’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.Engaging in sexual conduct with persons under the age of 18 or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and international law, if you are arrested in South Sudan, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. That said, security officials rarely contact the U.S. embassy in Juba when U.S. citizens are detained.