People and Society of Sudan

Nationality

Sudanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Population

47,958,786

Population in Major Urban Areas

KHARTOUM (capital) 4.632 million

Persons with conditions which may require medical treatment are strongly discouraged from traveling to Sudan. Medical facilities in Khartoum fall short of U.S. standards; outside the capital, few facilities exist and hospitals and clinics are poorly equipped. Emergency medical treatment is provided without cost for the first 24 hours, but after that, payment will be required. For all other non-emergent medical treatment, payment in cash must be made in advance. Ambulance services are not available outside Khartoum. Medicines are available only intermittently; you should bring sufficient supplies of needed medicines in clearly marked containers. Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Sudan. The strain is resistant to chloroquine and can be fatal. In 2012, there was a large outbreak of Yellow Fever in Darfur, which resulted in 171 deaths. Consult a health practitioner before traveling, obtain suitable anti-malarial drugs, ensure that all your vaccines are up to date, 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 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.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Sudan stands at approximately 66 years overall, with women living slightly longer than men — roughly 68 years for females compared to around 64 years for males. These figures reflect modest progress over recent decades, though Sudan continues to face significant public health challenges that keep life expectancy well below the global average of around 73 years. Several interconnected factors shape longevity in Sudan. The country made gradual improvements in access to basic healthcare, maternal and child health services, and vaccination programs through the 2010s, contributing to a decline in infant and child mortality rates over time. However, the healthcare system is now under severe and worsening strain due to chronic underfunding, political instability, and the catastrophic effects of the civil conflict that escalated in April 2023. The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has caused one of the world's largest displacement crises, with millions of civilians uprooted and healthcare infrastructure in cities including Khartoum, El Fasher, and Wad Madani severely damaged or rendered non-functional. Infectious diseases continue to represent a major burden. Malaria is endemic in much of Sudan and remains a leading cause of death, particularly among children under five. Respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis also contribute significantly to mortality. Acute malnutrition has reached emergency levels in conflict-affected regions, with famine conditions confirmed in parts of the country, compounding vulnerability to disease and death across all age groups. Access to clean water and adequate sanitation remains critically limited in rural areas, where a large portion of the population lives. This limitation directly affects overall health outcomes and life expectancy. Urban centers historically had better access to healthcare and infrastructure, but the 2023 conflict has substantially eroded that advantage, narrowing but not eliminating the disparity between urban and rural populations in terms of health outcomes. Sudan's maternal mortality rate also remains among the highest in the region, reflecting deep gaps in skilled obstetric care and prenatal services, particularly outside major cities and in active conflict zones. Reducing maternal and infant mortality remains essential to any long-term improvement in national life expectancy figures. The ongoing conflict has reversed many of the incremental health gains achieved over previous decades. Sustained improvement in life expectancy will depend heavily on a cessation of hostilities, restoration of functioning health systems, and renewed investment in public health infrastructure supported by the international humanitarian community.

Infant Mortality Rate

Sudan faces significant challenges in reducing infant mortality, though the country has made measurable progress over recent decades. The infant mortality rate in Sudan stands at approximately 40 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting conditions that remain difficult compared to global averages but represent an improvement over figures recorded in earlier years. In the early 1990s, the rate exceeded 70 deaths per 1,000 live births, indicating that sustained public health efforts have had some positive effect over time. The leading causes of infant death in Sudan include neonatal infections, preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malaria. Many of these conditions are preventable or treatable with access to basic medical care, yet large portions of the population — particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas — lack reliable access to healthcare facilities, trained birth attendants, and essential medicines. Geographic disparities are stark. Infants born in urban centers such as Khartoum have considerably better survival prospects than those born in regions such as Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, where ongoing instability, displacement, and disrupted health infrastructure compound existing poverty. Internally displaced populations face especially elevated risks, as displacement often severs access to antenatal care and postnatal support services. Malnutrition is a significant contributing factor. Stunting and wasting rates among young children remain elevated nationwide, weakening immune systems and increasing vulnerability to infectious disease in infancy. Limited access to clean water and sanitation further heightens the risk of waterborne illnesses that disproportionately affect newborns and infants. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have supported vaccination programs, nutrition initiatives, and community health worker training in Sudan, though funding gaps and security constraints have limited the reach of these interventions. The neonatal mortality rate — deaths within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial share of overall infant deaths, underscoring the critical importance of skilled attendance at birth and immediate postnatal care. Efforts to further reduce infant mortality will require sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved access to clean water, expanded maternal health services, and stable conditions that allow humanitarian programs to operate effectively across all regions of the country.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Sunni Muslim70.0%
• Indigenous beliefs25.0%
• Christian5.0%

Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English

Arabic is spoken by about half the people, but it is the official language. Many dialects are spoken throughout the country. Arabic Juba is a unique dialect used in southern urban areas for communicating between different ethnic groups. Other languages spoken are Nubian, Dinka, Azanda, Bari, Nuer and Shilluk. Those with education speak good English.

• Arabic

Crime Information

There is a high risk of crime in certain areas of Sudan, particularly in the Darfur and border regions. Crimes against persons or property are infrequent in Khartoum and the surrounding area, but you should follow common-sense security measures, such as keeping an eye on backpacks or hand luggage. You should try to avoid crowded public areas and public gatherings, and avoid traveling alone outside of Khartoum if possible. Report instances of anti-U.S. acts or crimes targeting westerners to the U.S. Embassy, and report all incidents of crime to the Sudanese police. When flying, you should maintain constant contact with your baggage and ensure it does not contain illicit items, such as alcohol, pornography, or military ordinance. U.S. citizens have been removed from international airlines and detained when suspect items have been detected in checked baggage. Carjackings and armed robberies occur in western Sudan. Sexual assault is more prevalent in areas of armed conflict. Travelers who do not use the services of reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at risk. Travel outside of Khartoum should be undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. Solo camping is always risky. Don’t 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 also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Sudan you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law in Sudan. Sudan has strict laws concerning matters of morality; for example, men and women cannot cohabitate (including staying in a hotel together) unless they are married to each other. All travelers, including journalists, must obtain a photography permit before taking any photographs. Even with a photography permit, photographing military facilities, bridges, drainage stations, broadcast stations, public utilities, slum areas, and beggars is prohibited. If you break local laws in Sudan, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Authorities have been known to hold a foreigner’s passports during investigations, which can take weeks or months to conclude. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not while you’re in Sudan. Persons violating Sudan’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sudan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Attempting to convert Muslims to another religion is illegal in Sudan, and it is a crime punishable by imprisonment and even death. There are also some acts 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 children 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 customary international law, if you are arrested in 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. However, it is not unusual that the U.S. Embassy is not notified by the Government of Sudan of the arrest of a U.S. citizen. Even if notified, the U.S. Embassy is often not allowed access to arrested/detained U.S. citizens. Dual-nationals must be aware that the Sudanese government may not recognize your U.S. citizenship, and if detained/arrested, you may be considered a Sudanese citizen only.