The Problem
Understanding the healthcare challenges facing South Sudan.
A Healthcare System Under Pressure
South Sudan, with a population of approximately 12.7 million people, faces some of the most severe healthcare challenges in the world. Years of conflict, displacement, and limited infrastructure have left the health system struggling to meet the needs of its people. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 55 years, well below the global average.[1]
Maternal and Child Health
The maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan is among the highest in the world, estimated at 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births according to the World Health Organization.[1] This means that for every 100,000 women who give birth, over 1,200 do not survive. The under-five mortality rate stands at approximately 99 per 1,000 live births, and neonatal mortality is around 39 per 1,000 live births.[1] The adolescent birth rate is 97 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19.[3]
Disease Prevalence
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness in South Sudan, accounting for 64 percent of all reported illnesses.[6] Cholera has been a persistent threat, with an ongoing epidemic since 2024, with Unity State bearing the highest burden at 32 percent of cases.[5] Other communicable diseases including HIV, tuberculosis, and respiratory infections continue to affect communities across the country.
Access to Healthcare
Only about 36.7 percent of the population has access to basic health services.[8] Over 8 million people, out of a total population of approximately 13 million, needed humanitarian assistance in recent years.[1] The country has a severe shortage of health workers, with extremely low densities of doctors and nurses relative to the population.[9] Many communities, particularly in rural areas, have no nearby clinic or hospital. Over 300,000 people have been displaced by violence, further disrupting access to care.[7]
The Human Cost
Behind these numbers are real people: mothers who cannot reach a health facility in time, children who die from preventable diseases, and families who lack the basic health knowledge that could save lives. The healthcare gap in South Sudan is not just a matter of statistics. It is a daily reality for millions of people who deserve better.
| Indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | ~12.7 million | WHO, 2023 |
| Life expectancy at birth | ~55 years | WHO, 2021 |
| Maternal mortality ratio | 1,223 per 100,000 live births | WHO, 2020 |
| Under-5 mortality | ~99 per 1,000 live births | WHO, 2022 |
| Neonatal mortality | ~39 per 1,000 live births | WHO, 2022 |
| Malaria burden | 64% of all illnesses | Malaria Consortium, 2025 |
| Access to basic health services | ~36.7% | Lancet, 2020 |
Sources
- WHO. "South Sudan Country Overview." data.who.int, 2026.
- UNFPA South Sudan. "Maternal Health." southsudan.unfpa.org.
- World Bank Gender Data Portal. "South Sudan." genderdata.worldbank.org, 2023.
- UNICEF South Sudan. "Health." unicef.org/southsudan.
- WHO. "Cholera in South Sudan — One Year On." ReliefWeb, October 2025.
- Malaria Consortium / Eye Radio. "Malaria accounts for 64% of all illnesses." March 2025.
- MSF. "Health care gaps are threatening lives in South Sudan." December 2025.
- Lancet Planetary Health. "Successive epidemic waves of cholera in South Sudan." 2020.
- WHO. "Strengthening primary health care in fragile settings: South Sudan." December 2022.