South Sudan: official statistics and sources
7 official bodies for South Sudan, from National Bureau of Statistics to Business Registration Services (Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs), with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official language: English. Capital: Juba.
Who holds power in South Sudan
- Head of state: Salva Kiir Mayardit (President of the Republic of South Sudan)
- Head of government: The head of state leads the government (no prime minister listed)
- Foreign minister: Monday Semaya Kumba (Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Presidential republic with a decentralised (state) system under a transitional constitution. How local power works in South Sudan: 5 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in South Sudan: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- All 10 states: Jonglei State, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile State, Warrap State…
- The 3 largest cities: Juba
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 12.2 million for South Sudan in 2025, against 11.1 million in 2015. Of the 48 UN members in the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region, 27 have more people; worldwide it comes 80th.
South Sudan's economy produced $12.0 billion of goods and services in 2015, in current US dollars. That works out at $1,080 a head.
Real GDP shrank by 10.8% in 2015, World Bank figures show. For 2026 the IMF expects 10.5%.
Across 2024 the annual rate was 91.4%. The IMF forecasts 27.6% for 2026.
The ILO's modelled unemployment rate for 2023 is 12.4%; the national statistics office may publish a different figure from its own survey.
The IMF records general government gross debt of 64.2% of GDP for 2025, compared with a median of 53.1% across the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region; its 2026 projection is 43.2%.
Life expectancy at birth: 57.7 years (2024).
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 380.0% (2016), lowest -6.7% (2022).
- Debt ratio 2015: 58.2%; 2025: 64.2%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in South Sudan
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- National Bureau of Statistics
South Sudan's consumer price index, population estimates and economic statistics.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Bank of South Sudan
Monetary policy statements, exchange rates and banking regulations.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- Transitional National Legislative Assembly
Bills, Acts passed and session news of the national assembly.
Public audit how public money was spent
- National Audit Chamber
Audit reports on government accounts and public institutions.
Elections results and rules
- National Elections Commission
Election timelines, voter registration notices and electoral regulations.
Regulators
- National Communication Authority
Telecoms and broadcasting licences and communications regulations.
Public registers companies, land, charities
- Business Registration Services (Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs)
Online registration of businesses and companies through the government eServices portal.
Notes
The IPU lists no website for the Council of States.
What South Sudan does not have
- No website for the Right of Access to Information Commission was found.
- No land register, procurement portal, charity register, case-law database or asset-declaration register could be found online.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
South Sudan by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in South Sudan, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside South Sudan. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Cities of South Sudan the largest cities, with their figures
- Local government in South Sudan how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 5: Devolved and state governments
- Regions of South Sudan 10 regions, states or provinces
Level 6: National government
- South Sudan: national government this page
- Government and power in South Sudan who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of South Sudan?
12.2 million (2025, World Bank). National figures: National Bureau of Statistics.
What is the inflation rate in South Sudan?
91.4% (2024, World Bank). Official index: National Bureau of Statistics.
What is South Sudan's GDP?
$12.0 billion (2015, World Bank).
How much government debt does South Sudan have?
64.2% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in South Sudan?
National Bureau of Statistics: https://nbs.gov.ss/
What is the central bank of South Sudan?
Bank of South Sudan: https://boss.gov.ss/
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