Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (expectancy UNESCO Institute) in South Sudan
South Sudan: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (expectancy UNESCO Institute) was 57.62 years in 2023. ▲ Rising
Life expectancy at birth, total in South Sudan, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in years.
Analysis
In 2023, life expectancy at birth, total in South Sudan stood at 57.62 years.
That represents a change of up 0.7% on the previous year and down 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life expectancy at birth, total in South Sudan peaked at 58.28 years in 2013 and was at its lowest, 10.99 years, in 1988.
South Sudan ranks 211th of 215 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 54 years of available data.
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (expectancy UNESCO Institute) in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 25.63 years | — |
| 1971 | 30.99 years | +20.9% |
| 1972 | 31.29 years | +1.0% |
| 1973 | 36.28 years | +15.9% |
| 1974 | 36.59 years | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 36.87 years | +0.8% |
| 1976 | 37.09 years | +0.6% |
| 1977 | 37.4 years | +0.8% |
| 1978 | 37.59 years | +0.5% |
| 1979 | 37.8 years | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 38.03 years | +0.6% |
| 1981 | 38.31 years | +0.7% |
| 1982 | 38.68 years | +1.0% |
| 1983 | 34.73 years | -10.2% |
| 1984 | 31.79 years | -8.5% |
| 1985 | 32.36 years | +1.8% |
| 1986 | 32.82 years | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 20.72 years | -36.9% |
| 1988 | 10.99 years | -47.0% |
| 1989 | 28.22 years | +156.8% |
| 1990 | 28.63 years | +1.5% |
| 1991 | 29.18 years | +1.9% |
| 1992 | 21.94 years | -24.8% |
| 1993 | 22.26 years | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 44.86 years | +101.5% |
| 1995 | 31.51 years | -29.8% |
| 1996 | 32.12 years | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 33.07 years | +2.9% |
| 1998 | 19.05 years | -42.4% |
| 1999 | 44.54 years | +133.8% |
| 2000 | 47.59 years | +6.9% |
| 2001 | 48.55 years | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 49.39 years | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 52.32 years | +5.9% |
| 2004 | 53.05 years | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 53.97 years | +1.7% |
| 2006 | 54.65 years | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 55.42 years | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 56.28 years | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 56.85 years | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 57.48 years | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 57.67 years | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 58.24 years | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 58.28 years | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 45.62 years | -21.7% |
| 2015 | 39.76 years | -12.9% |
| 2016 | 36.72 years | -7.6% |
| 2017 | 35.35 years | -3.7% |
| 2018 | 51.91 years | +46.8% |
| 2019 | 58.13 years | +12.0% |
| 2020 | 57.65 years | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 57.05 years | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 57.2 years | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 57.62 years | +0.7% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 57.62 years is below the median for low income countries, which is 63.65 years, 91% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 57.62 years is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 64.1 years, 90% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (expectancy UNESCO Institute) in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | +156.8% | 10.99 years | 28.22 years |
| 1999 | +133.8% | 19.05 years | 44.54 years |
| 1994 | +101.5% | 22.26 years | 44.86 years |
| 1988 | -47.0% | 20.72 years | 10.99 years |
| 2018 | +46.8% | 35.35 years | 51.91 years |
| 1998 | -42.4% | 33.07 years | 19.05 years |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 34.75 years | 25.63 years | 37.8 years | 10 |
| 1980s | 30.66 years | 10.99 years | 38.68 years | 10 |
| 1990s | 30.72 years | 19.05 years | 44.86 years | 10 |
| 2000s | 52.81 years | 47.59 years | 56.85 years | 10 |
| 2010s | 49.92 years | 35.35 years | 58.28 years | 10 |
| 2020s | 57.38 years | 57.05 years | 57.65 years | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More population data for South Sudan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.4787 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0933 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 17,461 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.92 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5193 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.026 (2100)
- Population density 37.73 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.57 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life expectancy at birth, total in South Sudan?
- Life expectancy at birth, total in South Sudan was 57.62 years in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest life expectancy at birth, total recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 58.28 years in 2013.
- What is the lowest life expectancy at birth, total recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.99 years in 1988.
- How does South Sudan rank for life expectancy at birth, total?
- South Sudan ranks 211th out of 215 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life expectancy at birth, total rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Life expectancy at birth, total (years). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release