South Sudan

Following the referendum in January 2011, South Sudan became an independent country on 9 July 2011. Decades of war have already left South Sudan with a legacy of chronic poverty, inequality, very few roads or other infrastructure, and continuing insecurity. The new country will face significant challenges in securing a stable, peaceful and prosperous future.

UK aid programmes will focus on improving stability and reducing extreme poverty.

Top Priorities

• Getting more children, especially girls, in school and providing them with textbooks
• Delivering life-saving healthcare and nutrition
• Building roads
• Helping private sector investment and trade to create growth
  and reduce dependence on oil revenues
• Helping people get enough food to eat without depending on
  hand-outs
• Tackling corruption and assisting government make better use of its own funds 

We will spend approximately £94 million per year in South Sudan until 2015.

You can find information and key facts for Sudan under the 'Middle East & North Africa' section, or by clicking the link below.

Where we work: Sudan

Key Facts

• Population: 8.2 Million
• Youth aged 15-24 with comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS: 11%
• Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births): 84
• Under five mortality (per 1,000 live births): 135
• Maternal mortality (per 100,000 live births): 2054
• Literacy above age 15 years: 27% (40% male and 16% female)
• Net enrolment rate, primary: 44% (51% male and 37% female)
• Primary school pupils per classroom: 134
• Access to improved sanitation: 20% (53% rural and 13% urban)