Demographics of Sudan

The demographics of Sudan include the Sudanese people (Arabic: سودانيون) and their characteristics, Sudan, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.

Population, fertility rate and net reproduction rate, United Nations estimates

Not to be confused with Sundanese people.

Demographics of Sudan
Population pyramid of Sudan in 2020
Population	50,467,278 (2024 est.)[1]
Growth rate	2.55% (2022 est.)
Birth rate	33.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate	6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Life expectancy	67.12 years
Fertility rate	4.6 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate	42.27 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate	-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years	42.01%
65 and over	3.03%
Nationality
Nationality	Sudanese
Major ethnic	Afro-Arabs (70.0%)
Minor ethnic	Beja (5.9%) Nuba (2.5%) Fur (2.0%) Nubians (1.3%) Others (18.3%)
Language
Official	Arabic and English

In Sudan's 1993 census, the population was calculated at 30 million. No comprehensive census has been carried out since that time due to the Second Sudanese Civil War. Estimates of Sudan, including the population of South Sudan, ranged from 37 million (United Nations) to 45 million (CIA). Since the secession of South Sudan in July 2011, the current population of Sudan is estimated to be about 46 million.^[2][3] The population of metropolitan Khartoum (including Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North) is growing rapidly and ranges from six to seven million, including around two million displaced persons from the southern war zone, as well as western and eastern drought-affected areas.

Population overview

The majority of the population in Sudan are the indigenous Nubian inhabitants of the Nile Valley. The majority of ethnic groups of Sudan fall under Arabs, and the minority being Other African ethnic groups such as the Beja,^[4] Fur, Nuba, and Fallata.^[5] When counted as one people Sudanese Arabs are by far the largest ethnic group in Sudan, however African ethnic groups are a large minority if counted as one group. They are almost entirely Muslim; while the majority speak Sudanese Arabic; some other Arab tribes speak different Arabic dialects like Awadia and Fadnia and Bani Arak tribes who speak Najdi Arabic; Bani Hassan, Al-Ashraf, Kinanah and Rashaida who speak Hejazi Arabic. In addition, Arab tribes like the Baggara and other Darfurians, both who speak Chadian Arabic.^[6] Sudanese Arabs of northern and eastern parts descend primarily from migrants from the Arabian Peninsula. Additionally, a few pre-Islamic Arabian tribes existed in Sudan from earlier migrations into the region from Western Arabia, although most Arabs in Sudan are dated from migrations after the 12th century.^[7] The vast majority of Arab tribes in Sudan migrated into the Sudan in the 12th century.^[8]

Population statistics

Beja nomads

American-Sudanese rap musician Ramey Dawoud is part of the Sudanese diaspora

Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela

Sudanese student from Khartoum

Arab Bedouin in north

Rashaida in the east

Demographics of Sudan (without South Sudan), Data of Our World in Data, year 2022; Number of inhabitants in millions.

Achieving good counts of the population is difficult in Sudan, because conducting a census has been difficult due to various conflicts and wars in the southern, eastern and western regions of Sudan over the past few decades. The government of South Sudan (led by the former SPLM resistance movement) has in the past accused Sudan of deliberately manipulating the census in oil-rich regions such as the Abyei district, on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. The population count is a determining factor for the share of wealth and power each part of Sudan receives after the secession of South Sudan (See: Naivasha Agreement). Another complication is the Southern Sudanese refugees present in the north, whose citizenship in Sudan after the secession of South Sudan is now in question.^[9] 250,000 refugees from Syria live in Sudan.^[10]

Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2016) (Unrevised data.):^[11]

Age Group	Male	Female	Total	%
Total	20 105 842	19 541 779	39 647 621	100
0–4	3 506 328	3 377 853	6 884 181	17.36
5–9	2 801 266	2 677 988	5 479 254	13.82
10–14	2 325 624	2 196 472	4 522 096	11.41
15–19	2 073 006	1 952 605	4 025 611	10.15
20–24	1 816 041	1 721 450	3 537 491	8.92
25–29	1 547 613	1 519 393	3 067 006	7.74
30–34	1 295 965	1 329 629	2 625 594	6.62
35–39	1 085 101	1 136 535	2 221 636	5.60
40–44	891 195	949 131	1 840 327	4.64
45–49	732 711	762 251	1 494 962	3.77
50–54	589 400	586 304	1 175 703	2.97
55–59	458 118	441 240	899 359	2.27
60–64	340 396	314 518	654 915	1.65
65-69	248 570	225 431	474 001	1.20
70-74	170 069	152 437	322 506	0.81
75-79	109 224	97 712	206 936	0.52
80+	115 214	100 828	216 042	0.54
Age group	Male	Female	Total	Percent
0–14	8 633 218	8 252 313	16 885 531	42.59
15–64	10 829 547	10 713 058	21 542 605	54.34
65+	643 077	576 408	1 219 485	3.08

Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2020) (Data refer to national projections.):^[12]

Age Group	Male	Female	Total	%
Total	20 857 303	20 281 599	41 138 904	100
0–4	2 873 465	2 773 594	5 647 059	13.73
5–9	2 571 562	2 483 977	5 055 532	12.29
10–14	2 304 529	2 216 524	4 521 059	10.99
15–19	2 280 148	2 152 491	4 432 638	10.77
20–24	2 158 344	1 943 776	4 102 116	9.97
25–29	1 821 785	1 665 559	3 487 349	8.48
30–34	1 442 332	1 474 329	2 916 654	7.09
35–39	1 179 849	1 330 120	2 509 965	6.10
40–44	1 000 575	1 110 734	2 111 309	5.13
45–49	855 408	909 671	1 765 081	4.29
50–54	717 995	717 820	1 435 807	3.49
55–59	545 001	511 980	1 056 992	2.57
60–64	404 866	374 598	779 458	1.89
65-69	275 266	247 207	522 480	1.27
70-74	199 364	173 388	372 747	0.91
75-79	125 079	106 375	231 456	0.56
80+	103 574	92 332	195 909	0.48
Age group	Male	Female	Total	Percent
0–14	7 749 556	7 474 095	15 223 651	37.01
15–64	12 404 464	12 188 202	24 592 666	59.78
65+	703 283	619 302	1 322 585	3.21

Vital statistics

The vital statistics below do not include South Sudan.

Year[13]	Mid-year population (thousands)	Live births (thousands)	Deaths (thousands)	Natural change (thousands)	CBR*	CDR*	NC*	IMR*	TFR*	Life expectancy (years)
1950	6 191	296	114	182	47.8	18.4	29.4	123.7	6.69	46.77
1951	6 380	305	116	189	47.8	18.2	29.6	122.5	6.68	47.05
1952	6 574	314	118	197	47.8	17.9	29.9	120.2	6.68	47.55
1953	6 774	324	119	204	47.7	17.6	30.1	118.0	6.68	47.92
1954	6 979	333	121	212	47.7	17.4	30.4	116.3	6.69	48.26
1955	7 193	343	123	220	47.7	17.1	30.6	114.5	6.69	48.65
1956	7 414	353	127	226	47.6	17.1	30.4	113.4	6.68	48.56
1957	7 639	362	132	230	47.4	17.3	30.1	112.1	6.66	48.11
1958	7 861	374	147	226	47.5	18.7	28.8	111.6	6.67	45.81
1959	8 087	383	149	235	47.4	18.4	29.0	109.9	6.65	46.26
1960	8 326	394	151	244	47.3	18.1	29.2	108.3	6.65	46.60
1961	8 577	405	152	252	47.2	17.8	29.4	106.9	6.63	47.02
1962	8 841	422	155	267	47.7	17.5	30.2	105.4	6.69	47.35
1963	9 115	438	167	272	48.1	18.3	29.8	105.2	6.75	46.19
1964	9 407	456	153	303	48.4	16.3	32.2	102.6	6.80	49.46
1965	9 713	471	172	299	48.5	17.8	30.8	102.7	6.85	46.94
1966	10 015	488	193	296	48.7	19.2	29.5	102.8	6.90	44.63
1967	10 321	504	195	309	48.9	18.9	30.0	101.8	6.94	45.06
1968	10 639	518	198	320	48.7	18.6	30.1	100.9	6.97	45.46
1969	10 966	535	206	329	48.8	18.8	30.0	101.4	7.00	45.15
1970	11 305	552	209	342	48.8	18.5	30.3	100.7	7.03	45.53
1971	11 669	571	186	384	48.9	16.0	32.9	99.7	7.06	49.65
1972	12 057	583	189	394	48.4	15.7	32.7	97.8	7.01	49.93
1973	12 470	596	173	423	47.8	13.9	33.9	94.5	6.96	53.07
1974	12 951	611	177	434	47.4	13.7	33.6	94.0	6.95	53.23
1975	13 498	636	183	454	47.3	13.6	33.7	93.5	6.93	53.38
1976	14 066	662	189	473	47.3	13.5	33.8	93.0	6.90	53.46
1977	14 667	690	195	495	47.2	13.3	33.9	92.4	6.87	53.65
1978	15 306	722	204	518	47.4	13.4	34.0	91.8	6.84	53.44
1979	15 973	753	212	541	47.3	13.3	34.0	91.2	6.78	53.56
1980	16 674	785	217	568	47.3	13.1	34.2	90.5	6.73	53.93
1981	17 404	819	225	594	47.3	13.0	34.3	89.9	6.68	54.08
1982	18 129	855	232	623	47.3	12.8	34.4	89.3	6.64	54.32
1983	18 734	882	323	559	47.0	17.2	29.8	113.1	6.60	47.45
1984	19 166	893	345	548	46.4	17.9	28.5	114.1	6.55	46.22
1985	19 517	898	347	551	45.8	17.7	28.1	112.8	6.49	46.46
1986	19 887	904	282	622	45.2	14.1	31.1	90.5	6.43	51.48
1987	20 231	906	393	513	44.5	19.3	25.2	102.9	6.36	43.44
1988	20 454	909	532	377	44.2	25.9	18.3	118.5	6.28	35.92
1989	20 719	912	315	597	43.8	15.1	28.7	91.5	6.23	49.34
1990	21 091	914	314	599	43.1	14.8	28.3	90.0	6.17	49.73
1991	21 454	921	313	608	42.7	14.5	28.2	88.4	6.12	50.21
1992	21 780	925	377	548	42.2	17.2	25.0	94.8	6.05	45.89
1993	22 163	925	370	555	41.7	16.7	25.0	93.0	5.96	46.58
1994	22 704	931	247	684	41.0	10.9	30.1	77.0	5.87	56.64
1995	23 291	940	308	632	40.3	13.2	27.1	82.3	5.79	51.99
1996	23 862	949	309	640	39.7	12.9	26.8	80.5	5.71	52.28
1997	24 454	956	308	649	39.1	12.6	26.5	78.8	5.60	52.83
1998	25 029	967	371	596	38.6	14.8	23.8	83.1	5.50	48.81
1999	25 634	986	265	721	38.4	10.3	28.1	70.4	5.45	57.02
2000	26 299	1 004	256	748	38.1	9.7	28.4	67.4	5.38	58.32
2001	26 947	1 024	258	766	37.9	9.6	28.3	65.3	5.33	58.56
2002	27 570	1 035	258	777	37.4	9.3	28.1	63.3	5.25	58.98
2003	28 189	1 044	274	770	36.9	9.7	27.3	63.1	5.17	58.20
2004	28 832	1 049	298	751	36.3	10.3	26.0	63.7	5.09	56.77
2005	29 541	1 062	297	764	35.9	10.1	25.9	62.2	5.04	57.28
2006	30 333	1 108	264	844	36.5	8.7	27.8	57.5	5.04	60.28
2007	31 191	1 159	260	899	37.1	8.3	28.8	55.3	5.07	61.26
2008	32 065	1 204	269	935	37.5	8.4	29.1	54.5	5.07	61.21
2009	32 948	1 239	257	982	37.6	7.8	29.8	52.0	5.05	62.64
2010	33 740	1 272	259	1 012	37.5	7.6	29.8	50.7	5.02	63.02
2011	34 420	1 277	261	1 016	36.9	7.5	29.4	49.6	4.96	63.25
2012	35 160	1 281	258	1 023	36.3	7.3	29.0	48.5	4.90	63.79
2013	35 991	1 311	266	1 046	36.3	7.4	29.0	47.5	4.90	63.68
2014	37 003	1 344	264	1 080	36.3	7.1	29.2	46.4	4.91	64.27
2015	38 171	1 390	268	1 122	36.4	7.0	29.4	45.3	4.90	64.66
2016	39 377	1 418	274	1 143	36.0	7.0	29.1	44.2	4.83	64.78
2017	40 680	1 448	273	1 175	35.7	6.7	28.9	43.1	4.76	65.45
2018	41 999	1 479	279	1 200	35.2	6.6	28.6	42.0	4.68	65.68
2019	43 232	1 506	285	1 221	34.8	6.6	28.2	41.0	4.62	65.88
2020	44 440	1 521	296	1 225	34.2	6.7	27.6	39.9	4.54	65.61
2021	45 657	1 534	311	1 224	33.6	6.8	26.8	38.8	4.46	65.27
* CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman)

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Ethnic groups

Main category: Ethnic groups in Sudan

Sudan is a country characterized by its cultural and ethnic diversity. Various ethnic groups contribute to the rich tapestry of Sudanese society. The major ethnic groups in Sudan include Sudanese Arabs, Nubians, Zaghawa, and Beja, among others.

Sudanese Arab speakers form the largest linguistic group in Sudan, comprising approximately 70% of the population.^[14] They are predominantly Muslim and speak Arabic.^[15] Nubians, another significant ethnic group, have their origins in the Nubia region along the Nile River. They have a distinct cultural heritage and are known for their architectural achievements.^[15]

The Zaghawa, also known as Beri or Gimi, are an ethnic group with a presence in Sudan, Chad, and other neighboring countries. They have a pastoralist lifestyle and are known for their cattle herding and camel breeding skills.^[15]

Additionally, Sudan is home to diverse ethnic groups such as the Fur, Beja, Nuba, Fula, and Nubian people. These groups have unique cultural expressions, languages, social structures, and religious practices, contributing to the cultural mosaic of Sudan.

It's important to note that Sudan's demographics have undergone changes, particularly with the secession of South Sudan in 2011. South Sudan was home to many sub-Saharan African ethnic groups. As a result, Sudan's ethnic landscape has evolved, and South Sudan became an independent nation.^[16]

Languages

See also: Languages of Sudan

The most widely spoken languages in Sudan are:

1. Arabic language:
   1. Sudanese Arabic.
   2. Najdi and Hejazi Arabic, (mainly in mid-north and mid-east regions).
   3. Chadian Arabic in western region, (mainly spoken by Baggara and various Arabized African tribes).
2. Nubian language in far north, (mainly spoken by Nubians of Mahas, Dongola and Halfa).
3. Beja language known as Bedawit in far east alongside Red sea, (mainly spoken by the Beja people, mainly the Hadandawa, Ababda and Bisharin).

Before 2005, only Arabic was the official language.^[17] In the 2005 constitution, Sudan's official languages became Arabic and English:^[18]

Article 8:

1. All indigenous languages of Sudan are national languages and shall be respected, developed and promoted.
2. Arabic is a widely spoken national language in Sudan.
3. Arabic, as a major language at the national level and English shall be the official working languages of the national government and the languages of instruction for higher education.
4. In addition to Arabic and English, the legislature of any sub-national level of government may adopt any other national language as an additional official working language at its level.
5. There shall be no discrimination against the use of either Arabic or English at any level of government or stage of education.

The working constitution of the post-2019 Revolution transitional period specifies no national language.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Sudan

Further information: Islam in Sudan and Christianity in Sudan

Religion in Sudan[19]
religion			percent
Islam			97%
African Traditional Religion			1.5%
Christianity			1.5%

Men praying at the Sidah Sanhory Mosque, in Khartoum

In Sudan, 97% of the population adheres to Islam, with the overwhelming majority being adherents of the Sunni branch and the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence.^[20] The remainder of the population follows either animist and indigenous beliefs or Christianity, especially in Khartoum and in southern regions of the country bordering South Sudan.

Christians in Sudan which are refugees or immigrants from the south belong to various churches including the Roman Catholic Church, small Melkite and Maronite communities in the north, as well as Anglicans followers in the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the recently formed Reformed Episcopal Church. There are significant but long-established groups of Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Christians in Khartoum and other northern cities.

There are also Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox communities in Khartoum and eastern Sudan, largely made up of refugees and migrants from the past few decades. Other Christian groups with smaller followings in the country include the Africa Inland Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Sudan Church of Christ, the Sudan Interior Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Sudan Pentecostal Church, the Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (in the North).

Religious identity plays a role in the country's political divisions. Northern and western Muslims have dominated the country's political and economic system since independence. The NCP draws much of its support from Islamists, Salafis/Wahhabis and other conservative Arab Muslims in the north. The Umma Party has traditionally attracted Arab followers of the Ansar sect of Sufism as well as non-Arab Muslims from Darfur and Kordofan.^{[citation needed]}

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) includes both Arab and non-Arab Muslims in the north and east, especially those in the Khatmia Sufi sect.^{[citation needed]}

Other demographic statistics

Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2022.^[21]

• One birth every 22 seconds
• One death every 2 minutes
• One net migrant every 29 minutes
• Net gain of one person every 29 seconds

The following demographic are from the CIA World Factbook^[22] unless otherwise indicated.

Population

47,958,856 (2022 est.)

43,120,843 (July 2018 est.)

35,482,233 (July 2014 est.)

Population pyramid in 2020

Religions

Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.01% (male 9,726,937/female 9,414,988)

15-24 years: 20.94% (male 4,852,903/female 4,687,664)

25-54 years: 29.89% (male 6,633,567/female 6,986,241)

55-64 years: 4.13% (male 956,633/female 923,688)

65 years and over: 3.03% (2020 est.) (male 729,214/female 649,721)

Birth rate

33.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 20th

34.2 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 23rd

Death rate

6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 146th

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 139th

Total fertility rate

4.54 children born/woman (2023 est.) Country comparison to the world: 15th

4.6 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 17th

4.85 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 17th

Population growth rate

2.55% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 19th

2.93% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 9th

Median age

total: 18.3 years. Country comparison to the world: 211st

male: 18.1 years

female: 18.5 years (2020 est.)

total: 17.9 years. Country comparison to the world: 214th

male: 17.7 years

female: 18.1 years (2018 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

12.2% (2014)

Net migration rate

-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 163rd

1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 52nd

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 81.6 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 75.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio: 15.9 (2015 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 36% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population: 34.6% of total population (2018)

rate of urbanization: 3.17% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)0

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.12 years. Country comparison to the world: 193rd male: 64.89 years female: 69.46 years (2022 est.)

total population: 65.8 years

male: 63.7 years

female: 68.1 years (2018 est.)

total population: 63.32 years

male: 61.27 years

female: 65.46 years (2014 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies

respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis

Nationality

noun: Sudanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Sudanese

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0–14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15–24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25–54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55–64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female
total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

total population: 60.7%

male: 65.4%

female: 56.1% (2018)

total population: 75.9%

male: 83.3%

female: 68.6% (2015 est.)

total population: 71.9%

male: 80.7%

female: 63.2%

note: pre-secession of South Sudan (2011 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 8 years

male: 8 years

female: 7 years (2015)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 32.6%

male: 27.4%

female: 43.5% (2011 est.)

References

1. "Sudan". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2022. (Archived 2022 edition.)
2. "World Population Prospects 2022". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
3. "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
4. "Copts migration".
5. "The World Factbook". 19 April 2022.
6. The Darfur Conflict: Geography Or Institutions? Osman Suliman, Mohamed Osman Suliman, p.115
7. "وزير خارجية السودان الاسبق حسين ابوصالح ل"الشرق" : التهديدات الامريكية للسودان كانت تصلنا في ورقة صغيرة دون ترويسة اوامضاء".
8. Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, JSTOR (Organization) (1888). Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 17. p. 16. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
9. Broere, Kees. "Uitstel voor census Soedan". de Volkskrant, 15 April 2008, p. 5.
10. "Sudan imposes security clearance ahead of citizenship for Syrian refugees". 9 August 2017.
11. "UNSD — Demographic and Social Statistics".
12. "UNSD — Demographic and Social Statistics".
13. "World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision".
14. "Africa: Sudan". CIA The World Factbook. 19 April 2022.
15. "Ethnic Groups Of Sudan". WorldAtlas. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
16. "Sudan | History, Map, Area, Population, Religion, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
17. Leclerc, Jacques. L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde, "Soudan" Archived 2012-10-23 at the Wayback Machine
18. "text of the 2005 constitution in English" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-09. (492 KB)
19. "Religion in Sudan according to the CIA World Factbook". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
20. "Sudan Overview". UNDP Sudan. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
21. "Sudan Population 2022", World Population Review
22. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: "The World FactBook - Sudan", The World Factbook, 2022