Updated
Overview
Sudan has 6.9 times the population of Libya: 51.66 million people against 7.46 million (2025).
Sudan's economy is 25% larger than Libya's, at $60.16B versus $48.10B.
Per person, Libya is the wealthier of the two: $6,449 against $1,165 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Sudan | Libya | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $60.16B | $48.10B | 2025 | $49.91B / $46.64B |
| GDP per capita | $1,165 | Higher: $6,449 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.1% | Higher: 13.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 138.8% | Lower: 1.8% | 2022 / 2025 | — / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.5% | 18.8% | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 39 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $284 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $207 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.66 million | 7.46 million | 2025 | 50.47 million / 7.36 million |
| Population growth | 2.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.5 yrs | 27.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.19 | 2.25 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.5 yrs | Higher: 71.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 35% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 19% | Higher: 82% | 2017 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,886,068 km² | 1,759,540 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 27.4/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 18 Mt | 65 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.4 t | 8.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $375.21M | $1.57B | 2021 / 2023 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 5.3% | 2021 / 2023 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 144,000 | — | 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
Libya is growing much faster: 13.4% annual GDP growth versus 3.1%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Sudan at 138.8%, while the other economy sits at 1.8%.
People and society
Sudan is the far younger society: median age 18.5 versus 27.7 years.
Life expectancy is 4.6 years longer in Libya (71.1 vs 66.5).
Libya is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 35%.
Internet adoption is higher in Libya (82% vs 19% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Sudan is almost exactly the same size as Libya: 1,886,068 km² versus 1,759,540 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Sudan is far more densely settled: 27 people per km² against 4.
Military
Libya spends 4.2 times as much on defence as Sudan: $1.57B versus $375.21M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Libya carries the heavier military burden: 5.3% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Frequently asked
- Is Sudan bigger than Libya?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Sudan covers 1,886,068 km² while Libya covers 1,759,540 km², a difference of under 7%.
- Which has more people, Sudan or Libya?
- Sudan has the larger population: 51.66 million versus 7.46 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Sudan richer than Libya?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Libya is richer: $6,449 against $1,165. Total GDP tells a different story: $60.16B for Sudan versus $48.10B for Libya.
- Who spends more on their military, Sudan or Libya?
- Libya spends more: $1.57B versus $375.21M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).