For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.
Since the secession of South Sudan in 2011, the economic situation has been difficult. Sudan lost one-third of its territory, one-fourth of its population, 75% of its oil reserves and more than 75% of its fiscal revenues, and entered in recession. To avoid a loss in production and revenue, an agreement was reached in 2012 between South Sudan (rich in oil reserves, but with no infrastructure) and Sudan, where much infrastructure is located. As a result, South Sudan has been paying a share of its revenues to Sudan for the transportation of its oil. After contracting by an estimated -3.6% in 2020 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, a locust infestation and floods, the recession deepened, Sudan's GDP growth recovered modestly to 0.9% in 2021 (IMF). It is forecast to strengthen to 3.5% in 2022 and 5% in 2023 according to IMF estimates. However, the military coup of October 2021 clouded the outlook. Sudan's economic recovery will depend on international financial support, itself dependent on the formation of a civilian government, the release of political prisoners, the lifting of the state of emergency, and an end to violence against peaceful demonstrators (Coface).
In 2021, Sudan’s economy started to recover from the deep recession that had plagued the country since 2018 and that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Sudan’s financial partners (including the United States, the World Bank and the IMF) suspended their aid following the military coup that was accompanied by the declaration of a state of emergency and human rights violations. Budget balance switched from a surplus of 6% GDP in 2020 to a deficit of -2% GDP in 2021, and is expected to further increase to 3% in 2022 (Coface). Vital external budgetary aid from bilateral and multilateral partners is conditional on a democratic transition. External debt, much of which in arrears, is unsustainable despite being halved under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Sudan is in a situation of extreme indebtedness. As nearly 90% of the public debt is external and denominated in foreign currency, it is increasing after each devaluation (Coface). From an estimated 272.9% GDP in 2020, public debt decreased to 209.9% GDP in 2021, and is expected to further reduce to 176.6% GDP in 2022 and 157.3% GDP in 2023 (IMF). Hyperinflation and devaluations, combined with low confidence in the banking system, have triggered a liquidity crisis (Coface). According to IMF estimates, inflation continued to escalate from 163.3% in 2020 to 194.6% in 2021. It is fuelled by monetisation of the deficit, disruptions in food and fuel supplies due to the protests, and low agricultural productivity (Coface). The IMF forecasts inflation to shrink to 41.8% in 2022 and 17.6% in 2023, whereas Coface projects an inflation rate of 100% for 2022. The priority is to stabilise the economy, but the crucial international aid needed to support economic recovery is dependent a now stalled democratic transition. The Sudanese authorities will seek to sign an agreement with the IMF, in continuation with the previous Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). In addition to economic stabilisation, the main objectives were to strengthen social protection, boost the private sector and improve governance.
The humanitarian situation is dramatic with a large number of displaced persons and refugees. Social tensions have increased, fuelled by rising prices and the lack of basic necessities. Sudan suffers from economic inequalities, high unemployment (19.6% in 2020 according to the World Bank) and inadequate social services. Life expectancy in the country stands at 64,4 years and close to half of the population is at or below the poverty line. Rapid exchange rate depreciation and persistent inflation have worsened an already difficult situation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty rate increased to an estimated 56% of the population (AfDB). Sudan is ranked 170th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index published by UNDP.
Main Indicators | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDP (billions USD) | 34.38 | 35.14 | 42.76 | 44.51 | 47.86 |
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) | -3.6 | 0.5 | -0.3 | 2.6 | 5.6 |
GDP per Capita (USD) | 775 | 772 | 916 | 929 | 974 |
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) | 263.4 | 182.0 | 189.5 | 155.3 | 140.1 |
Inflation Rate (%) | 163.3 | 359.1 | 154.9 | 76.9 | 34.8 |
Current Account (billions USD) | -6.00 | -2.59 | -2.75 | -3.36 | -3.67 |
Current Account (in % of GDP) | -17.5 | -7.4 | -6.4 | -7.5 | -7.7 |
Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database - October 2021.
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Monetary Indicators | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sudanese Pound (SDG) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 GHS | 1.58 | 1.54 | 5.31 | 11.63 | 27.83 |
Source: World Bank - Latest available data.
Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector | Agriculture | Industry | Services |
---|---|---|---|
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) | 38.4 | 16.8 | 44.8 |
Value Added (in % of GDP) | 6.4 | 7.4 | 9.7 |
Value Added (Annual % Change) | -0.6 | -0.7 | -3.9 |
Source: World Bank - Latest available data.
Socio-Demographic Indicators | 2022 | 2023 (e) | 2024 (e) |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment Rate (%) | 30.6 | 30.6 | 28.6 |
Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database - Latest available data
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|
Labour Force | 12,061,094 | 12,434,007 | 12,385,724 |
Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|
Total activity rate | 49.69% | 49.71% | 49.74% |
Men activity rate | 69.60% | 69.36% | 69.15% |
Women activity rate | 30.08% | 30.34% | 30.60% |
Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database
The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation
See the country risk analysis provided by Coface.
The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.
Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House
The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).
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Latest Update: February 2023