South Sudan: health and care

What is the child mortality rate in South Sudan?

101 of every 1,000 children born in South Sudan die before their fifth birthday, and 67 before their first, according to the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) by the National Bureau of Statistics with UNICEF. Neonatal mortality, in the first month of life, was 35 per 1,000 live births.

The rates cover the five years before the survey. Under-five mortality ranged from 84 to 120 deaths per 1,000 across socio-economic groups. The survey also found that 19% of children under five were stunted. Results were published in April 2026.

Official sources: NBS: MICS 2025 Key Findings Report (PDF)

How common is malaria in South Sudan?

South Sudan's health facilities recorded 5,295,723 malaria cases in 2024, according to the 2025 Health Statistics Abstract published by the National Bureau of Statistics from Ministry of Health DHIS2 data. The total was 5,323,463 in 2023.

Northern Bahr El Ghazal (698,787), Warrap (632,937) and Upper Nile (618,026) recorded the most cases in 2024. The figures count cases seen at reporting health facilities, so they depend on access to care and reporting, and miss people who are not treated at a facility.

Official sources: NBS: 2025 Health Statistics Abstract (PDF)

How many doctors are there in South Sudan?

South Sudan had 456 medical doctors, or 0.42 per 10,000 people, according to the 2025 Health Statistics Abstract published by the National Bureau of Statistics. 383 were general practitioners and 73 specialists.

Nursing staff numbered more than 4,500 and midwifery staff more than 3,000. The abstract notes that some groups, such as psychologists and social workers, are not reported in the data. The counts come from the Ministry of Health's workforce records.

Official sources: NBS: 2025 Health Statistics Abstract (PDF)

What is the life expectancy in South Sudan?

Life expectancy at birth in South Sudan was 57.7 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN estimates. The maternal mortality ratio was 692 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the UN estimate published by the World Bank.

Both figures are modelled UN estimates. The 2025 MICS survey measures child deaths directly, and found under-five mortality of 101 per 1,000 live births. Current health spending was 11.6% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, South Sudan · World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, South Sudan · NBS: MICS 2025 Key Findings Report (PDF)

What is life expectancy in South Sudan?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in South Sudan was 57.7 years in 2024. The peak was 58.3 years in 2013 and the low 35.4 years in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3 years; South Sudan is 45th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 190th of 193.

What is South Sudan's infant mortality rate?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in South Sudan at 71.9 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and South Sudan placed 1st highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What is maternal mortality in South Sudan?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan at 692 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 257 per 100,000; South Sudan is 3rd highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 3rd highest.

What is South Sudan's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in South Sudan was 11.6% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2017 was 2017, at 22.1% of GDP; its low point was 2021, at 6.3% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and South Sudan placed 3rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 11th of 191.

How much do people in South Sudan pay for health care themselves?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in South Sudan was 27.1% in 2023. Since 2017 it has ranged from 19.2% (2017) to 42.2% (2019). It is 32nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 100th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in South Sudan?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in South Sudan at 0.04 per 1,000 in 2022. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and South Sudan placed 44th highest of 46. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 123rd highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in South Sudan?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in South Sudan was 72.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Since 2011 it has ranged from 51.0% (2016) to 74.0% (2021). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 81.0%; South Sudan is 29th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 159th highest.