POPULATION ANALYSIS
OF SOUTH SUDAN
, Population Analysis of South Sudan
By Cassidy Rammanhor
South Sudan is a landlocked East African country known as the youngest country in Africa,
having gained its independence in 2011 from Sudan (East African Community , 2022). With
a population of 11.1 million (2019), an area of 619,745 sq. km and GDP of $4.6 billion
(2019), South Sudan is one of the worlds least developed countries (UNCTAD, 2012). This
essay will analyse the population in South Sudan in terms of it’s population pyramid and the
factors that affect it, as well as proposed government policies on how to better the
demographics of the country.
Analysis of South Sudan’s population pyramid in terms of the Demographic Transition Model
Firstly, the Demographic Transition Model is a model used in population studies that shows
the corelating birth and death rates in a certain country/area in terms of two genders- male
and female, as that country/ area goes through different stages of development. Upon first
analysis the population pyramid of South Sudan indicates an extremely high birth rate- a
very wide base demonstrates that much of the population is within the lower age categories
as seen in Figure 1. Furthermore, we see a very narrow top on the pyramid, indicating a high
death rate, with none of the population living passed the age of 90 according to Figure 1.
The wide base and narrow top indicate a rapid/expansive growth pyramid (Figure 1). There
is a slow population growth rate due to high death and high birth rates that cancel each other
out (Grover, 2014). South Sudan’s growth rate is currently only at 1.53% (Macrotrends ,
2022). Furthermore, the dependency ratio of the country is 79% which indicates a very small
economically active cohort from Figure 1. This also means that majority of the population is
dependent on the minority population, demonstrating a very underdeveloped economy.
This ultimately indicates that South Sudan is in Stage 1 of development due to the high
death and growth rates. These rates are results of poor healthcare, sanitation and
infrastructure- leading to increased death rates. The poor/ non-existent educational system
means that the population is not well educated in terms of contraception and with a deficit of
knowledge they are left without hope for mire intellectual, higher order careers therefore they
have more children. The lack of industrial lore/ industrial capacity results in many women
staying at home- hence they rear more children. There is also lack of established trade
routes and international connection meaning that contraception is scarce and not readily
available. All these factors lead to a higher birth rate. All these factors subsequently point to
a population that is still in the very primitive stages of development where the country is still
trying to solve the most fundamental issues.
OF SOUTH SUDAN
, Population Analysis of South Sudan
By Cassidy Rammanhor
South Sudan is a landlocked East African country known as the youngest country in Africa,
having gained its independence in 2011 from Sudan (East African Community , 2022). With
a population of 11.1 million (2019), an area of 619,745 sq. km and GDP of $4.6 billion
(2019), South Sudan is one of the worlds least developed countries (UNCTAD, 2012). This
essay will analyse the population in South Sudan in terms of it’s population pyramid and the
factors that affect it, as well as proposed government policies on how to better the
demographics of the country.
Analysis of South Sudan’s population pyramid in terms of the Demographic Transition Model
Firstly, the Demographic Transition Model is a model used in population studies that shows
the corelating birth and death rates in a certain country/area in terms of two genders- male
and female, as that country/ area goes through different stages of development. Upon first
analysis the population pyramid of South Sudan indicates an extremely high birth rate- a
very wide base demonstrates that much of the population is within the lower age categories
as seen in Figure 1. Furthermore, we see a very narrow top on the pyramid, indicating a high
death rate, with none of the population living passed the age of 90 according to Figure 1.
The wide base and narrow top indicate a rapid/expansive growth pyramid (Figure 1). There
is a slow population growth rate due to high death and high birth rates that cancel each other
out (Grover, 2014). South Sudan’s growth rate is currently only at 1.53% (Macrotrends ,
2022). Furthermore, the dependency ratio of the country is 79% which indicates a very small
economically active cohort from Figure 1. This also means that majority of the population is
dependent on the minority population, demonstrating a very underdeveloped economy.
This ultimately indicates that South Sudan is in Stage 1 of development due to the high
death and growth rates. These rates are results of poor healthcare, sanitation and
infrastructure- leading to increased death rates. The poor/ non-existent educational system
means that the population is not well educated in terms of contraception and with a deficit of
knowledge they are left without hope for mire intellectual, higher order careers therefore they
have more children. The lack of industrial lore/ industrial capacity results in many women
staying at home- hence they rear more children. There is also lack of established trade
routes and international connection meaning that contraception is scarce and not readily
available. All these factors lead to a higher birth rate. All these factors subsequently point to
a population that is still in the very primitive stages of development where the country is still
trying to solve the most fundamental issues.
