Hunger · Sub-Saharan Africa

Hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan

31%of children under five stunted (2010)Very high

19% of people in South Sudan do not get enough to eat, about 2.3 million. 31% of young children are too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition, and 23% are dangerously thin.

19%undernourished (2024, FAO)

89%moderately or severely food insecure (2024)

31%children under 5 stunted (2010)

23%children under 5 wasted (2010)

28%children under 5 underweight (2010)

6.0%children under 5 overweight (2010)

61%children 6-59 months anaemic (2019, WHO)

97 per 1,000children who die before age five (2024)

Undernourishment in South Sudan since 2020

Share of people not getting enough calories, FAO. Each figure is a three-year average centred on the year.

202022%
202220%
202419%

How South Sudan compares

In Sub-Saharan Africa it is 18th of 47.

Frequently asked questions

How many people are hungry in South Sudan?

FAO estimates 19% of people in South Sudan were undernourished in 2024, about 2.3 million people. 89% faced moderate or severe food insecurity (2024).

What percentage of children are stunted in South Sudan?

31% of children under five in South Sudan were stunted in 2010, which WHO rates very high. 23% were wasted (2010).

Sources: FAO (undernourishment, food insecurity), UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Malnutrition Estimates (stunting, wasting, underweight, overweight), WHO (anaemia) and UN IGME (child deaths), as published by the World Bank.