South Sudan: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for South Sudan 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank South Sudan: na
  • Happiness Score South Sudan:na

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of South Sudan. SS.

    South Sudan is a country in East-Central Africa, with Juba as its capital and largest city.

  • It gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the newest country in the world.
  • It is rich in cultural diversity, with over 60 ethnic groups and languages spoken.
  • The country has experienced ongoing conflict and political instability since gaining independence.
  • South Sudan – A Comprehensive Overview

    History and Background

    Early History: The region of South Sudan has been inhabited for millennia, with evidence of ancient civilizations dating back to the 8th century BC. The area was home to various Nilotic and Bantu ethnic groups, including the Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk people.

    Kingdoms and Empires: The region was dominated by various kingdoms and empires, including the Funj Sultanate (1504–1821), the Shilluk Kingdom (1490–1865), and the Avungara Kingdom (1610–1889).

    Colonial Period: In the late 19th century, the area became part of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium of Sudan, ruled by the British and Egyptian governments. The colonial period saw the exploitation of resources and suppression of local cultures.

    Independence and Modern Era: South Sudan endured decades of civil war and conflict with the government of Sudan, fighting for autonomy and self-determination. After a prolonged struggle, South Sudan officially gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, becoming the newest sovereign nation in the world.

    Current Political Situation: South Sudan is a presidential republic with a transitional government. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been in power since independence. The country has faced ongoing political instability, ethnic tensions, and civil conflict, with efforts to establish a permanent constitutional government.

    International Relations: South Sudan has strained relations with Sudan due to disputes over oil resources and border demarcation. It maintains diplomatic ties with various countries and is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

    Human Development and Economy: South Sudan has struggled with economic development and human rights challenges. The economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, and the country ranks among the lowest in human development indicators. Agriculture and subsistence farming are major economic activities.

    Cultural Highlights: South Sudan is home to diverse ethnic groups with rich cultural traditions, including traditional music, dance, and storytelling. Christianity and indigenous religions are widely practiced.

    South Sudan faces significant challenges, including ongoing political instability, ethnic conflicts, poverty, food insecurity, and underdeveloped infrastructure. However, the country has vast natural resources and a resilient population, presenting opportunities for growth and development with the establishment of lasting peace and good governance.

Main facts

Location

South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East-Central Africa. It borders 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. The country lies within the Nile Basin, and the White Nile river flows through its territory.

Map References

South Sudan is located in East Africa.

Area – Comparative

South Sudan has an area of approximately 644,329 square kilometers (248,777 square miles), making it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

South Sudan has a total land boundary of 6,211 kilometers (3,860 miles). It shares borders with the following countries:

Coastline

South Sudan is a landlocked country and does not have a coastline.

Maritime Claims

As a landlocked country, South Sudan does not have any maritime claims.

Climate

South Sudan has a tropical climate with a rainy season from April to November and a dry season from December to March. The climate is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F) throughout the year.

Terrain

South Sudan’s terrain is primarily a vast, flat plain broken by the Nile River and its tributaries. The southern region is dominated by the Ironstone Plateau, while the eastern part of the country is characterized by the Imatong Mountains and the Didinga Hills.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in South Sudan is Kinyeti (3,187 meters / 10,456 feet) in the Imatong Mountains, while the lowest point is the White Nile River (370 meters / 1,214 feet).

Natural Resources

South Sudan’s major natural resources include petroleum, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, mica, silver, gold, hydropower, and arable land.

Major Bodies of Water

The White Nile River, which originates in Burundi and flows through South Sudan, is the country’s most significant water body. Other major rivers include the Bahr el Ghazal, the Sobat, the Pibor, and the Akobo. South Sudan also shares parts of Lake Albert, Lake Turkana, and Lake Victoria with neighboring countries.

Natural Hazards

The main natural hazards in South Sudan include periodic droughts, seasonal flooding, and occasional earthquakes.

Geography – Notes

South Sudan is a biodiversity hotspot, with a diverse range of plant and animal species, including endangered species like the African elephant, white rhino, and giraffe. However, the country’s natural resources and environment have been severely impacted by years of conflict and civil war.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): . This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 1,727. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 44.7%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  6.876991931.3069788.
  • Capital: The capital of South Sudan is  Juba
  • Major Cities:
    • Juba – Population: 525,953
    • Wau – Population: 151,320
    • Malakal – Population: 160,765
    • Bor – Population: 149,296
    • Nimule – Population: 23,563
  • Population: 11,062,113
  • Area(Km2): 644329
  • Population Density( P/Km²):18. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:211
  • Official Language(s):South Sudan is English with a percentage of 15%. Arabic is also spoken with a percentage of 35%.
  • Currency: SSP

Main Economic Indicators

South Sudan’s economy is one of the smallest and most underdeveloped in the world, with a GDP of just $3.1 billion (2020 estimate). The economy heavily relies on subsistence agriculture and oil production, which accounts for nearly all export earnings. Key economic challenges include widespread poverty, insufficient infrastructure, limited skilled labor, political instability, and lack of private investment. Notable economic policies focus on diversifying the economy beyond oil and establishing a viable agriculture sector.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2020: 36.8% (World Bank)
2019: 24.5% (World Bank)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: Not Rated
Moody’s: Not Rated
Standard & Poor’s: Not Rated

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 15.3% (2020 est.)
Industry: 32.2% (2020 est.)
Services: 52.5% (2020 est.)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Sorghum, maize, cassava, groundnuts, milk
Industrial Products: Petroleum, cement, beer, soft drinks, soap

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 4.9 million (2020 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 85th out of 195 countries (World Bank)

Current Account Balance

2020: -$1.42 billion (World Bank)
2019: -$1.08 billion (World Bank)
Comparative Ranking: 166th out of 189 countries (CIA World Factbook)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $2.2 billion (2020 est.)
Key Export Partners: China, UAE, Netherlands
Main Exports: Crude petroleum, gold
Imports: $2.3 billion (2020 est.)
Key Import Partners: China, UAE, India
Main Imports: Machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $166 million (2020 est.)
Gold Reserves: $92 million (2020 est.)

  • GDP (Current US$):$11,997,800,751. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): . It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 31.40%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.28. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 12.24%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Noun: South Sudanese

Adjective: South Sudanese

2. Ethnic Groups

– Dinka (35.8%)
– Nuer (15.6%)
– Shilluk, Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi (32.9%)
– Others (15.7%)

3. Religions

– Christian (60.5%)
– Folk religions (32.9%)
– Muslim (6.2%)
– Other (0.4%)

4. Age Structure

– 0-14 years: 44.66% (male 2,711,860/female 2,665,687)
– 15-64 years: 52.62% (male 3,179,470/female 3,167,685)
– 65 years and over: 2.72% (male 141,675/female 186,308)

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 89.8
Youth dependency ratio: 84.8
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.1

6. Median Age

Total: 18.6 years
Male: 18.4 years
Female: 18.8 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 5.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption: Data not available
Tobacco use: Data not available

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 57.6. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 47.1%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:35.01. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:11. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 4.5. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 9.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 2,201,250. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):61.30%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

South Sudan’s military and security forces consist of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), which includes the Army, Air Force, and a nascent Navy. The SSPDF also has a Special Forces unit. The National Security Service (NSS) functions as the national intelligence agency and internal security force.

Military Expenditures

Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2021: 2.7%
  • 2020: 3.1%
  • 2019: 2.9%
  • 2018: 3.6%
  • 2017: 4.2%

South Sudan currently ranks 39th globally in terms of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.

Personnel Strengths

South Sudan has approximately 185,000 active military personnel, with the Army being the largest service branch. The National Security Service has an estimated strength of around 15,000 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

South Sudan’s military equipment inventory includes Soviet-era tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery pieces, and small arms, primarily imported from neighboring countries like Uganda and Sudan. The country has limited air capabilities with a few transport and combat aircraft. There are no major ongoing or planned military acquisitions due to financial constraints.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service in South Sudan is voluntary, with a minimum age of 18 for enlistment. There is no mandatory conscription at present.

Military Deployments

South Sudan has no significant overseas military deployments. However, the country contributes a small contingent of troops to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a peacekeeping operation tasked with monitoring and supporting the peace process in the country.

Strategic Military Notes

South Sudan’s defense strategy is primarily focused on maintaining internal security and stability, given the country’s history of civil conflict. The military’s role is primarily centered on counter-insurgency operations and protecting the government from armed opposition groups. South Sudan is not part of any major military alliances but cooperates with regional partners like Uganda and Sudan on security matters.

  • Armed Forces Size: 185000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is na
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 72.40%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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