Sudan’s population is estimated at 48,109,006 people as of July 2024, growing at 2.49% a year. With a median age of just 19.1 and fertility averaging 4.37 children per woman, the demographic picture is young, fast-changing, and uneven across cities and rural areas. In this post, we break down the key Sudan statistics behind population, health, education, economics, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Sudan's total population as of July 2024 is estimated at 48,109,006 people
- The median age in Sudan is 19.1 years as of 2024
- Sudan's population growth rate is 2.49% annually as of 2024
- Sudan's GDP (purchasing power parity) is $189.07 billion as of 2023 estimate
- Sudan's real GDP growth rate is -12.5% for 2023 estimate
- GDP per capita (PPP) in Sudan is $4,100 as of 2023
- Sudan's total area is 1,861,484 square kilometers
- Land boundaries total 6,798 km with neighbors Egypt 1,276 km, Libya 383 km, Chad 1,406 km, Central African Republic 1,165 km, South Sudan 2,340 km, Ethiopia 853 km, Eritrea 744 km
- Coastline length is 853 km along Red Sea
- Government type in Sudan is presidential republic in transition since 2021 coup
- Capital city is Khartoum with coordinates 15 36 N, 32 32 E
- Administrative divisions: 18 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah)
- Sudan's under-5 mortality rate is 52.7 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2022
- HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among adults 15-49 is less than 0.1% in 2021 est.
- Physicians density is 0.19 physicians per 1,000 people as of 2020
Sudan’s population is about 48.1 million and very young, with fast growth and major development challenges.
Demographics
1Sudan's total population as of July 2024 is estimated at 48,109,006 people
Directional
2The median age in Sudan is 19.1 years as of 2024
Verified
3Sudan's population growth rate is 2.49% annually as of 2024
Verified
443.89% of Sudan's population is aged 0-14 years in 2024
Single source
553.76% of Sudan's population is aged 15-64 years in 2024
Single source
62.35% of Sudan's population is aged 65 and over in 2024
Verified
7Sudan's total fertility rate is 4.37 children per woman in 2024
Directional
8The urban population of Sudan constitutes 35.3% of the total population as of 2024
Verified
9Sudan's net migration rate is -3.78 migrant(s) per 1,000 population in 2024
Verified
10Arabic is the official language spoken by 70% of Sudanese as a first language
Directional
11Sudan has over 597 ethnic groups with Arabized or Africanized Arabs, Fur, Beja, Nuba, and Fallata being major ones
Verified
12Sunni Muslim represents 97% of Sudan's religious adherents in 2024
Verified
13Life expectancy at birth for males in Sudan is 64.85 years in 2024
Verified
14Life expectancy at birth for females in Sudan is 68.59 years in 2024
Verified
15Infant mortality rate in Sudan is 43.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024
Directional
16Maternal mortality ratio in Sudan is 295 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2020
Verified
17Sudan's population density is 27 people per square kilometer as of 2024
Verified
18Khartoum, the capital, has a population of 6,000,000 in its metropolitan area as of 2023
Verified
19Omdurman, largest city, has 3,000,000 residents as of 2023 estimates
Verified
20Port Sudan has a population of 580,000 as of 2023
Verified
21Literacy rate among population aged 15 and above in Sudan is 58.6% as of 2021
Single source
22Youth literacy rate (aged 15-24) in Sudan is 71.4% as of 2021
Verified
23Female literacy rate in Sudan is 51.7% compared to 65.2% for males as of 2021
Verified
24Sudan's sex ratio at birth is 1.03 males per female
Single source
25Dependency ratio in Sudan is 86.2% with 75.7% youth dependency
Single source
26Major ethnic groups include Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur (6%)
Directional
27Beja ethnic group constitutes 6% of population mainly in Red Sea State
Verified
28Nuba people make up 5.3% concentrated in South Kordofan
Single source
29Fallata (Fulani) represent 1.7% of Sudan's population
Verified
30Over 100 smaller ethnic groups account for remaining population diversity
Verified
Demographics Interpretation
Despite its youthful vigor, Sudan's future faces the dual challenge of nurturing its burgeoning young population while overcoming significant hurdles in health, education, and opportunity.
Economy
1Sudan's GDP (purchasing power parity) is $189.07 billion as of 2023 estimate
Verified
2Sudan's real GDP growth rate is -12.5% for 2023 estimate
Verified
3GDP per capita (PPP) in Sudan is $4,100 as of 2023
Verified
4Gross national saving in Sudan is 15.6% of GDP as of 2022
Single source
5Sudan's GDP composition by sector: agriculture 27.5%, industry 18.4%, services 54.1% in 2023
Verified
6Inflation rate (consumer prices) in Sudan is 71.4% for 2023 estimate
Verified
7Central bank discount rate is 25% as of December 2022
Single source
8Commercial bank prime lending rate is 15.5% as of 2022
Verified
9Stock of narrow money is $9.117 billion as of 2022 estimate
Single source
10Stock of broad money is $12.62 billion as of 2022 estimate
Verified
11Sudan budget revenues are $1.99 billion, expenditures $3.915 billion in 2017 est.
Verified
12Public debt is 263.5% of GDP as of 2023 estimate
Single source
13Current account balance is -$1.822 billion as of 2022 estimate
Verified
14Exports of goods and services are 6.6% of GDP as of 2022
Verified
15Imports of goods and services are 17.5% of GDP as of 2022
Verified
16External debt is $62.61 billion as of 2022 estimate
Single source
17Gold reserves are 2 million ounces as of 2023 estimate
Directional
18Remittances received are 0.1% of GDP as of 2022
Verified
19Unemployment rate in Sudan is 12.5% officially, but higher youth unemployment at 20-30% in 2023
Verified
20Labor force is 12.52 million as of 2022 estimate
Verified
21Agriculture employs 80% of the labor force in Sudan
Verified
22Oil exports account for 70% of export earnings historically
Verified
23Gold is the main export now, producing 42.5 tonnes in 2022
Verified
24Sesame seeds are a major agricultural export, Sudan second largest producer globally
Single source
25Cotton production is 140,000 metric tons annually pre-conflict
Verified
26Gum arabic production leads world with 80% global share from Sudan
Verified
27Livestock numbers: 29.7 million cattle, 32 million sheep, 27 million goats in 2022
Single source
28Total land area under cultivation is 20.5 million hectares in Sudan
Directional
Economy Interpretation
Sudan’s economy is a heartbreaking paradox: its land is rich enough to feed the world's sticky notes and yet its people are being choked by a staggering debt, runaway inflation, and the cruel math of paying out far more than it brings in.
Geography
1Sudan's total area is 1,861,484 square kilometers
Verified
2Land boundaries total 6,798 km with neighbors Egypt 1,276 km, Libya 383 km, Chad 1,406 km, Central African Republic 1,165 km, South Sudan 2,340 km, Ethiopia 853 km, Eritrea 744 km
Single source
3Coastline length is 853 km along Red Sea
Single source
4Maritime claims: territorial sea 12 nm, contiguous zone 18 nm, continental shelf 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation
Single source
5Climate is tropical in south, arid desert in north, rainy season June-October
Verified
6Terrain mostly flat plains, mountains in east and west
Single source
7Elevation extremes: lowest point Red Sea 0 m, highest point Kinyeti 3,187 m
Verified
8Natural resources include petroleum, small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower
Verified
9Land use: arable land 15.7%, permanent crops 0.4%, permanent pasture 46.8%, forest 11.7%, other 25.4% in 2018 est.
Directional
10Irrigated land covers 2,023,000 hectares in 2020
Verified
11Renewable water resources total 30.9 cubic km in 2020
Directional
12Freshwater withdrawal: 96.4% agriculture, 1.9% domestic, 1.7% industrial in 2017
Verified
13Major rivers include the White Nile, Blue Nile, Atbarah
Verified
14White Nile flows 3,700 km through Sudan forming Gezira plain
Verified
15Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia, joins White Nile at Khartoum
Single source
16Desert covers 40% of Sudan, mainly Nubian Desert in northeast
Directional
17Darfur region covers 493,180 sq km in west Sudan
Verified
18Red Sea Hills run parallel to coast for 887 km
Verified
19Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, highest peak 1,325 m
Verified
20Jebel Marra massif in Darfur peaks at 3,042 m
Single source
21Sudan's lowest temperature recorded -9°C at Atbara
Verified
22Annual rainfall in Khartoum averages 153 mm
Directional
23Port Sudan average annual rainfall is 90 mm
Verified
Geography Interpretation
Sudan is a land of stark and thirsty contrasts, where generous rivers are besieged by vast deserts, and where the struggle between fertile potential and harsh reality is etched into every kilometer of its borders and every drop of its rainfall.
Government
1Government type in Sudan is presidential republic in transition since 2021 coup
Verified
2Capital city is Khartoum with coordinates 15 36 N, 32 32 E
Directional
3Administrative divisions: 18 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah)
Verified
4Independence achieved 1 January 1956 from Egypt and UK joint rule
Verified
5National holiday is Independence Day, 1 January 1956
Verified
6Constitution adopted 12 April 2019 with transitional provisions
Verified
7Suffrage age is 18 years, universal
Verified
8Executive branch: Transitional Sovereignty Council chaired by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-BURHAN since 25 October 2021
Directional
9Legislative branch: Transitional Legislative Council not yet established as of 2024
Verified
10Judicial branch: Supreme Court with 6 judges including chief justice
Verified
11Political parties and leaders: numerous but suspended post-2021 coup
Verified
12International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, G-77, IMO, IOM, IPU, LAS, OFC, OPCW, UN, UNHCR
Directional
13Diplomatic representation: Ambassador in US vacant since 2015
Directional
14IDPs total about 3.8 million due to conflict as of 2024
Verified
15Refugees hosted: 1,048,000 mostly South Sudanese as of 2023
Verified
16Human rights issues include arbitrary killings, conflict-related abuses in Darfur
Verified
17Corruption rank 172 out of 180 countries in 2023 Transparency International
Verified
18Press Freedom Index rank 148 out of 180 in 2023
Verified
19Women in parliament 30.7% as of 2021 pre-coup
Single source
20Military branches: Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
Verified
21Military expenditures 2.46% of GDP as of 2022
Verified
22Manpower fit for military service: 10,464,321 males age 18-49 in 2024
Verified
23Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write Arabic or English
Verified
24Gender inequality index value 0.582 (high) as of 2022
Verified
25Gini index coefficient 35.3 (medium inequality) as of 2014
Single source
26Mobile cellular subscriptions 41.3 per 100 people as of 2022
Verified
27Internet users 26.6% of population as of 2023
Single source
28Fixed broadband subscriptions 0.1 per 100 people as of 2022
Verified
29Electricity access 71.2% of population as of 2022
Single source
Government Interpretation
For a nation that declared independence 68 years ago, Sudan presents a paradox of robust international engagement abroad and profound internal dislocation at home, where its suspended democracy, rampant corruption, and ongoing conflict starkly contrast with the enduring hope symbolized by its nearly one-third female parliamentary representation prior to the coup.
Health
1Sudan's under-5 mortality rate is 52.7 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2022
Verified
2HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among adults 15-49 is less than 0.1% in 2021 est.
Verified
3Physicians density is 0.19 physicians per 1,000 people as of 2020
Verified
4Hospital bed density is 0.9 beds per 1,000 people in 2012
Single source
5Drinking water access: improved 76.3%, unimproved 23.7% as of 2020
Verified
6Sanitation facility access: improved 22.2%, unimproved 77.8% as of 2020
Single source
7Obesity rate among adults is 6.9% as of 2022
Verified
8Children under 5 stunted (chronic malnutrition) rate is 32.9% as of 2018
Verified
9Wasting (acute malnutrition) in children under 5 is 13.1% as of 2018
Verified
10Overweight children under 5 is 6.5% as of 2018
Verified
11Immunization measles 11-month-olds is 93% as of 2022
Verified
12Diphtheria tetanus toxoid pertussis immunization 1-year-olds is 94% as of 2022
Verified
13Tuberculosis death rate among HIV-negative is 12 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified
14Malaria incidence is 19.3 cases per 1,000 at risk population in 2022
Verified
15Hepatitis B prevalence HBsAg among children under 5 is 0.9% as of 2019
Single source
16Non-communicable diseases account for 27% of deaths in Sudan
Verified
17Diabetes prevalence among adults 20-79 is 7.0% as of 2021
Verified
18Adolescent birth rate (10-14 years) is 1.2 per 1,000 women as of 2022
Verified
19Antenatal care coverage at least 4 visits is 68.2% as of 2018
Directional
20Births attended by skilled health personnel is 77.8% as of 2018
Verified
21Contraceptive prevalence among married women 15-49 is 21.8% as of 2018
Directional
22Female genital mutilation prevalence among girls 0-14 is 35.6% as of 2018
Verified
23School enrollment primary net rate is 62.4% as of 2021
Verified
24School enrollment secondary net rate is 35.3% as of 2021
Verified
Health Interpretation
While Sudan remarkably manages to inoculate its children against many diseases, its systemic failures in basic sanitation, healthcare staffing, and nutrition are heartbreakingly immunizing them against their own futures.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Sudan Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sudan-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Sudan Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sudan-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Sudan Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sudan-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CIAcia.gov
cia.gov
- Reference 2DATAdata.who.int
data.who.int
- Reference 3WORLDOMETERSworldometers.info
worldometers.info
- Reference 4ENen.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
- Reference 5UISuis.unesco.org
uis.unesco.org
- Reference 6DATAdata.worldbank.org
data.worldbank.org
- Reference 7USGSusgs.gov
usgs.gov
- Reference 8FAOfao.org
fao.org
- Reference 9FASfas.usda.gov
fas.usda.gov
- Reference 10BRITANNICAbritannica.com
britannica.com
- Reference 11WORLDWEATHERONLINEworldweatheronline.com
worldweatheronline.com
- Reference 12ENen.climate-data.org
en.climate-data.org
- Reference 13DATAdata.unicef.org
data.unicef.org
- Reference 14DIABETESATLASdiabetesatlas.org
diabetesatlas.org
- Reference 15INTERNAL-DISPLACEMENTinternal-displacement.org
internal-displacement.org
- Reference 16DATAdata.unhcr.org
data.unhcr.org
- Reference 17STATEstate.gov
state.gov
- Reference 18TRANSPARENCYtransparency.org
transparency.org
- Reference 19RSFrsf.org
rsf.org
- Reference 20DATAdata.ipu.org
data.ipu.org
- Reference 21HDRhdr.undp.org
hdr.undp.org