Updated
Overview
South Sudan has 2.2 times the population of the Central African Republic: 12.19 million people against 5.51 million (2025).
South Sudan's economy is 3.9 times the size of the Central African Republic's, at $12.00B versus $3.07B.
Per person, South Sudan is the wealthier of the two: $1,080 against $556 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Sudan | Central African Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $12.00B | $3.07B | 2015 / 2025 | — / $2.75B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,080 | $556 | 2015 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -10.8% | Higher: 4.5% | 2015 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 91.4% | Lower: 1.0% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | 12.4% | Lower: 6.3% | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 42 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $58 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 12.19 million | 5.51 million | 2025 | 12.70 million / 5.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.0% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.7 yrs | 14.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.71 | 5.81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 57.7 yrs | 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 22% | 45% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 7% | Higher: 14% | 2019 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 644,329 km² | 622,984 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 18.9/km² | 8.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1.70 Mt | Lower: 0.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.1 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.03B | $71.17M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 53,000 | 10,000 | 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
The Central African Republic grew while the other economy contracted: 4.5% against -10.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in South Sudan at 91.4%, while the other economy sits at 1.0%.
People and society
The Central African Republic is the younger society: median age 14.5 versus 18.7 years.
The Central African Republic is considerably more urbanized: 45% of people live in cities, against 22%.
Geography
By land area, South Sudan is almost exactly the same size as the Central African Republic: 644,329 km² versus 622,984 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
South Sudan is far more densely settled: 19 people per km² against 9.
Military
South Sudan spends 28 times as much on defence as the Central African Republic: $2.03B versus $71.17M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Sudan fields the larger armed forces: 53,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Sudan bigger than the Central African Republic?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. South Sudan covers 644,329 km² while the Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², a difference of under 3%.
- Which has more people, South Sudan or the Central African Republic?
- South Sudan has the larger population: 12.19 million versus 5.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Sudan richer than the Central African Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Sudan is richer: $1,080 against $556. Total GDP tells the same story: $12.00B for South Sudan versus $3.07B for the Central African Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, South Sudan or the Central African Republic?
- South Sudan spends more: $2.03B versus $71.17M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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