Updated
Overview
Ethiopia has 11 times the population of South Sudan: 135.47 million people against 12.19 million (2025).
Ethiopia's economy is 11 times the size of South Sudan's, at $126.36B versus $12.00B.
Per person, South Sudan is the wealthier of the two: $1,080 against $933 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ethiopia | South Sudan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $126.36B | $12.00B | 2025 / 2015 | $126.77B / — |
| GDP per capita | $933 | Higher: $1,080 | 2025 / 2015 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 9.8% | -10.8% | 2025 / 2015 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 13.2% | 91.4% | 2025 / 2024 | 21.0% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.3% | 12.4% | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 37 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $96 | — | 2021 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 135.47 million | 12.19 million | 2025 | 121.37 million / 12.70 million |
| Population growth | 2.6% | 2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 19.1 yrs | 18.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.81 | 3.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 67.6 yrs | 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 24% | 22% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 22% | 7% | 2024 / 2019 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,104,300 km² | 644,329 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 122.7/km² | 18.9/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 18 Mt | Lower: 1.70 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $921.67M | $2.03B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 138,000 | 53,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Ethiopia grew while the other economy contracted: 9.8% against -10.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in South Sudan at 91.4%, while the other economy sits at 13.2%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 19.1 (Ethiopia) and 18.7 (South Sudan).
Life expectancy is 9.9 years longer in Ethiopia (67.6 vs 57.7).
Internet adoption is higher in Ethiopia (22% vs 7% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Ethiopia is 71% larger than South Sudan: 1,104,300 km² versus 644,329 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Ethiopia is far more densely settled: 123 people per km² against 19.
Military
South Sudan spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Ethiopia: $2.03B versus $921.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Sudan carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Ethiopia fields the larger armed forces: 138,000 personnel against 53,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ethiopia bigger than South Sudan?
- Ethiopia is larger by land area. Ethiopia covers 1,104,300 km² while South Sudan covers 644,329 km², so Ethiopia is 71% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Ethiopia or South Sudan?
- Ethiopia has the larger population: 135.47 million versus 12.19 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ethiopia richer than South Sudan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Sudan is richer: $1,080 against $933. Total GDP tells a different story: $126.36B for Ethiopia versus $12.00B for South Sudan.
- Who spends more on their military, Ethiopia or South Sudan?
- South Sudan spends more: $2.03B versus $921.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).