Sudan Demographics

What is the population of Sudan?

Population 45,561,556
Population Growth Rate 1.83%
Urban Population 33.2%
Population in Major Urban Areas KHARTOUM (capital) 4.632 million
Nationality Noun Sudanese (singular and plural)
Nationality Adjective Sudanese
Ethnic Groups black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%
Languages Spoken Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Language Note 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.

Sudan Health Information

What are the health conditions in Sudan?

Animal Contact Disease (s) rabies
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 15-49 9%
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 8.09
Diseases - note highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds
Drinking Water Source - percent of rural population improved 50.2%
Drinking Water Source - percent of total population unimproved 44.5%
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved 66%
Food or Waterborne Disease (s) bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 8.4%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate 1.1%
HIV/Aids Deaths 12,000
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population .7
Infant Mortality Rate - female deaths/1,000 live births 48.43
Infant Mortality Rate - male deaths/1,000 live births 59.75
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births 54.23
Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk very high
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 730
Obesity - adult prevalence rate 6%
People Living with HIV/AIDS 260,000
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population .28
Respiratory disease (s) meningococcal meningitis
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of total population unimproved 76.4%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved 43.9%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of rural population improved 13.4%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 4.05
Underweight - percent of children under five years 31.7%
Vectorborne Disease (s) malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever
Water contact disease (s) schistosomiasis

Sudan Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Sudan?

Life Expectancy at Birth 62 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - female 65 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - male 60 Years
Median Age 18 Years
Median Age - female 19 Years
Median Age - male 18 Years

Sudan Infant Mortality - per 1,000 live births

Sudan median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 31
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 8.09
Median Age 18 Years
Median Age - female 19 Years
Median Age - male 18 Years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population -4.44
Population Growth Rate 1.83%
Sex Ratio 0-14 Years - male/female 1.03
Sex Ratio 15-24 Years - male/female 1.07
Sex Ratio 25-54 Years - male/female .94
Sex Ratio 55-64 Years - male/female 1.02
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female 1.05
Sex Ratio of Total Population - male/female 1.02
Sex Ratio Over 64 Years - male/female 1.24

Sudan Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Sudan?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

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.

Sudan Education

What is school like in Sudan?

Literacy - female 50.5%
Literacy - male 71.8%
Literacy - total population 61.1%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary) 4 Years

Sudan Literacy

Can people in Sudan read?

Literacy - female 50.5%
Literacy - male 71.8%
Literacy - total population 61.1%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
Predominant Language Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English

Sudan Crime

Is Sudan a safe place to visit?

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.

Sudan Penalties for Crime

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.

Sudan Population Comparison

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