South Sudan: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in South Sudan?

82.3% of South Sudan's population lived below the national poverty line in 2016, according to World Bank data, the most recent official estimate. At the international line of $3.00 a day (2021 prices), the share was 76.5% in 2016, according to the World Bank.

No more recent national poverty estimate was found. The 2025 MICS survey by the National Bureau of Statistics measures living conditions such as access to water, electricity and phones rather than income.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, South Sudan · World Bank: Poverty at $3.00 a day, South Sudan · NBS: MICS 2025 Key Findings Report (PDF)

What is South Sudan's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in South Sudan at 91.4% in 2024. The peak was 380.0% in 2016 and the low -6.7% in 2022. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.3%, and South Sudan placed 1st highest of 42. Worldwide: 2nd of 172.

What is the extreme poverty rate in South Sudan?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in South Sudan was 76.5% in 2016. It is 1st highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.1%. Worldwide: 1st of 81.

How many people in South Sudan are poor?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in South Sudan was 82.3% in 2016. It is 1st highest of 6 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 51.2%. Worldwide: 1st of 56.

What is South Sudan's Gini coefficient?

In 2016, the Gini index in South Sudan was 44.0, according to the World Bank. It is 3rd highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 43.7. Worldwide: 13th of 81.

What is food insecurity in South Sudan?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in South Sudan at 88.8% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; South Sudan is 1st highest of 34. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.