According to Global Finance, South Sudan ranks as the poorest country in 2024 when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), despite having a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranking than Burundi. Though blessed with substantial oil reserves, this landlocked nation, home to approximately 15 million people, exemplifies the “resource curse.” Its rich natural resources have fueled political and social strife, inequality, corruption, and prolonged conflict. This year, over 60% of the population is expected to require humanitarian aid.
Why is South Sudan So Impoverished?
1.War
Gaining independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan is one of the world’s newest countries. Yet, more than half of its citizens live below the international poverty line. A 21-year civil war has devastated the nation, and the lingering effects of this conflict continue to stifle development. Unresolved issues—such as the fair distribution of oil revenues, border demarcation, cross-border trade, and citizenship rights—only compound these challenges.
2.Food Insecurity
The majority of South Sudan’s population relies on subsistence farming. However, ongoing conflicts and mass displacement have severely disrupted agricultural activities, making it difficult for communities to produce enough food.
3.Natural Disasters
South Sudan is highly susceptible to extreme weather conditions, including droughts and floods. These events worsen food insecurity, leading to widespread hunger and forcing the population to depend on food aid. Although this aid offers short-term relief, it fails to tackle the underlying issues of conflict, displacement, and climate change.
4.Reliance on Oil
With 90% of its income coming from oil, South Sudan is vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. Insufficient infrastructure for refining and exporting oil, combined with poor economic management and a lack of diversification, has stymied the growth of other critical sectors like agriculture, further entrenching the nation’s economic challenges.
