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Last update: January, 23 2021

Sudan

Flag of Sudan
Government
NameRepublic of the Sudan
Arabicجمهورية السودان
Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān
Government typepresidential republic
CapitalKhartoum (1,410,858 (2008))
CurrencySudanese pound (SDG)
People
Population (2020)43,849,269 (33rd)
Density of population21.3 P/km2
NationalitySudanese
Official languages
Arabic
English
Ethnic groups
unspecified Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%)
Fur
Beja
Nuba
Fallata
Religions
Sunni Muslim
small Christian minority
Life expectancy (2020)
Male64.3 years
Female68.8 years
Total population66.5 years (186th)
Homicides
Total (2008)5.1 per 100,000 people (61st)
Geography
Land area1,731,671 km2
water area129,813 km2
total area1,861,484 km2 (17th)
Mean elevation568 m
Lowest point
Red Sea0 m
Highest point
Jabal Marrah3,042 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land100%
Arable land15.7%
Permanent crops0.2%
Permanent pasture84.2%
Forest0%
Other0%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)35.3%
Rate of urbanization3.17% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2007)11.92 million  (49th)
Labor force by occupation (1998)
Agriculture80%
Industry7%
Services 13%
Unemployment rate (2017)19.6% (184th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$177.678 billion
Per capita$4,232
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$33.903 billion
Per capita$808
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture39.6%
Industry2.6%
Services57.8%
Exports (2017)$4.1 billion (116th)
Exports partners (2017)
UAE55.5%
Egypt14.7%
Saudi Arabia8.8%
Imports (2017)$8.22 billion (109th)
Imports partners (2017)
UAE12.7%
Egypt10.6%
India10.5%
Turkey10.2%
Japan7.6%
Saudi Arabia6%
Germany4.6%

Sudan on the world map

Sudan on the world map

Sudan top 10 largest cities (2008)

  1. Omdurman (1,849,659)
  2. Khartoum (1,410,858)
  3. Khartoum North (1,012,211)
  4. Nyala (492,984)
  5. Port Sudan (394,561)
  6. El-Obeid (345,126)
  7. Kassala (298,529)
  8. Wad Madani (289,482)
  9. El-Gadarif (269,395)
  10. Al-Fashir (217,827)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Sudan (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 42.01% (male 9,726,937/female 9,414,988)
  • 15-24 years: 20.94% (male 4,852,903/female 4,687,664)
  • 25-54 years: 29.89% (male 6,633,567/female 6,986,241)
  • 55-64 years: 4.13% (male 956,633/female 923,688)
  • 65 years and over: 3.03% (male 729,214/female 649,721)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Major rivers

Economy

Agriculture:

cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum Arabic, sugarcane, cassava (manioc, tapioca), mangoes, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, animal feed, sheep and other livestock

Industries:

oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly, milling

Exports – commodities:

gold, oil and petroleum products, cotton, sesame, livestock, peanuts, gum Arabic, sugar

Imports – commodities:

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines, chemicals, textiles, wheat

Time zone and current time in Sudan

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Sudan

Sources: