International South Sudan relations

Country profile & diplomacy overview · 17 relations tracked

South Sudan is a country in East-Central Africa that gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and the Central African Republic to the west.

Population

11.2M#84 of 203

Land area

644.3K km²#41 of 203

GDP

$12.0B#152 of 197

Military expenditure

$2.0B#66 of 167

Global influence

#145Very Low

Map legend

Closest relations Strained relations South Sudan No data

Since its independence, South Sudan has been embroiled in conflict and political instability. In 2013, a civil war broke out between the government and opposition forces, leading to widespread violence and displacement. A peace agreement was signed in 2015, but the fighting has continued and the country has struggled to rebuild and stabilize.

South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a weak economy that is heavily dependent on oil exports. The country has a very young population, with more than half of the population under the age of 18. It also has a high rate of illiteracy and limited access to education.

In recent years, there have been efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in South Sudan, including through negotiations and the deployment of peacekeeping forces. However, the situation in the country remains fragile and there are ongoing challenges to building a stable and prosperous society.

Geography & terrain

Landlocked, no coastline. Terrain is dominated by vast, seasonally flooded swamplands (the Sudd) and savanna plains, with highlands near the southern border. Climate is tropical with pronounced wet and dry seasons. The wetlands and seasonal flooding form a significant natural barrier that has historically hampered outside movement, though the open plains elsewhere offer little protection.

Key facts

Diverse sources: UN, World Bank, South Sudan Statistics Office/Department. Most recent available data
Capital	Juba (526.0K people, 4.7% of total population)
Population	11.2M (#84 of 203 countries)
Land area	644.3K km² (#41 of 203 countries)
Main religion	Indigenous beliefs, Christianity
Life expectancy	57 years

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data (2015)
Currency	South Sudanese Pound
Main language(s)	English
Government type	Presidential republic
Time zone	UTC+3.0
GDP	$12.0B (#152 of 197 countries)
GDP per capita	$1.1K (#181 of 198 countries)
International calling code	+211
Driving side	Right
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	0
Military expenditure	$2.0B
Land military expenditure (estimation)	$1.7B
Air military expenditure (estimation)	$304.2M
Naval military expenditure (estimation)	n/a
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	2.0%
Military expenditure per capita	$181
Nuclear power	No
European Union	Not a member
NATO	Not a member
Other groups	African Union

Shares a land border with 6 countries — here is how those relations stand

South Sudan's relations with its neighbors

Most similar countries, by language, currency, GDP per capita, borders & international groups

Rank #145 Very Low International Influence

South Sudan's actions have no significant effect on the world, and a very limited impact on other countries.

See the full world influence ranking →

Most intense relations

Top 5 relations of South Sudan by overall intensity. Intensity reflects the level and significance of interaction—not whether the relationship is positive or negative.