Eritrea has a population of 3.54M (ranked 131/197), compared with 11.9M in South Sudan (ranked 81/197). Eritrea's land area is 46,787 sq mi versus 243,990 sq mi for South Sudan (ranked 96th vs. 41st).
By GDP, Eritrea ranks 179/197 ($2.07B) and South Sudan ranks 149/197 ($12B). By GDP per capita, Eritrea ranks 188/197 ($689), while South Sudan ranks 175/197 ($1,080).
Main facts and rankings
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
3700586
|
12507858
|
| Population rank | 130/197 | 80/197 |
| GDP |
$2.07B
2011 |
$12B
2015 |
| GDP rank | 179/197 | 149/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$689
2011 |
$1,080
2015 |
| GDP per capita rank | 188/197 | 175/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,742
2011 |
$1,155
2015 |
| Government debt |
$3.54B
2011 |
$7.04B
2015 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
260.4%
2019 |
50.7%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$1,182
2011 |
$633
2015 |
| Government debt per person rank | 136/185 | 158/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,129
2026 |
$1,305
2026 |
| Land area | 46,787 sq mi | 243,990 sq mi |
| Population density |
78.6 ppl/mi²
2026 |
51 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
3.71
2023 |
3.86
2023 |
| Median age |
19.9 years
2024 |
19.4 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.4 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
Eritrea and South Sudan: Comparison Charts
Eritrea and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2015 | - | $11,997,800,760 |
| 2014 | - | $13,962,212,847 |
| 2013 | - | $18,426,469,017 |
| 2012 | - | $11,931,472,169 |
| 2011 | $2,065,001,626 | $14,907,308,933 |
| 2010 | $1,589,515,447 | $14,602,072,411 |
| 2009 | $1,856,695,551 | $12,231,264,525 |
| 2008 | $1,380,188,800 | $14,586,253,383 |
| 2007 | $1,317,974,491 | - |
| 2006 | $1,211,161,880 | - |
| 2005 | $1,098,424,686 | - |
| 2004 | $1,109,054,005 | - |
| 2003 | $870,248,268 | - |
| 2002 | $729,321,680 | - |
| 2001 | $752,371,689 | - |
| 2000 | $706,370,816 | - |
| 1999 | $688,918,537 | - |
| 1998 | $745,523,117 | - |
| 1997 | $686,490,090 | - |
| 1996 | $693,535,954 | - |
| 1995 | $578,015,625 | - |
| 1994 | $531,688,312 | - |
| 1993 | $467,872,715 | - |
| 1992 | $477,101,652 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1992–2015, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY 
Eritrea and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2015 | - | $1,080 |
| 2014 | - | $1,243 |
| 2013 | - | $1,650 |
| 2012 | - | $1,109 |
| 2011 | $689 | $1,449 |
| 2010 | $540 | $1,498 |
| 2009 | $643 | $1,323 |
| 2008 | $490 | $1,654 |
| 2007 | $480 | - |
| 2006 | $448 | - |
| 2005 | $413 | - |
| 2004 | $427 | - |
| 2003 | $349 | - |
| 2002 | $305 | - |
| 2001 | $325 | - |
| 2000 | $314 | - |
| 1999 | $311 | - |
| 1998 | $342 | - |
| 1997 | $319 | - |
| 1996 | $326 | - |
| 1995 | $285.4 | - |
| 1994 | $277.8 | - |
| 1993 | $252.1 | - |
| 1992 | $265.2 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1992–2015, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY
Eritrea vs. South Sudan life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2026 | 69.4 | 58 |
| 2025 | 69.2 | 57.9 |
| 2024 | 68.9 | 57.7 |
| 2023 | 68.6 | 57.6 |
| 2022 | 67.8 | 57.2 |
| 2021 | 66.9 | 57 |
| 2020 | 67 | 57.6 |
| 2019 | 67.3 | 58.1 |
| 2018 | 67 | 51.9 |
| 2017 | 66.6 | 35.4 |
| 2016 | 66.2 | 36.7 |
| 2015 | 65.9 | 39.8 |
| 2014 | 65.5 | 45.6 |
| 2013 | 65 | 58.3 |
| 2012 | 64.7 | 58.2 |
| 2011 | 64.2 | 57.7 |
| 2010 | 63.7 | 57.5 |
| 2009 | 63.2 | 56.8 |
| 2008 | 62.4 | 56.3 |
| 2007 | 62 | 55.4 |
| 2006 | 61.5 | 54.7 |
| 2005 | 60.6 | 54 |
| 2004 | 60.1 | 53.1 |
| 2003 | 59.5 | 52.3 |
| 2002 | 58.9 | 49.4 |
| 2001 | 58.4 | 48.6 |
| 2000 | 56.3 | 47.6 |
| 1999 | 44.5 | 44.5 |
| 1998 | 50 | 19 |
| 1997 | 56.2 | 33.1 |
| 1996 | 55.5 | 32.1 |
| 1995 | 54.8 | 31.5 |
| 1994 | 54 | 44.9 |
| 1993 | 53.2 | 22.3 |
| 1992 | 52.4 | 21.9 |
| 1991 | 50.5 | 29.2 |
| 1990 | 49.7 | 28.6 |
| 1989 | 47.8 | 28.2 |
| 1988 | 48.1 | 11 |
| 1987 | 47.4 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 39.5 | 32.8 |
| 1985 | 38.6 | 32.4 |
| 1984 | 37.7 | 31.8 |
| 1983 | 37.2 | 34.7 |
| 1982 | 44.9 | 38.7 |
| 1981 | 45 | 38.3 |
| 1980 | 44.6 | 38 |
| 1979 | 43.8 | 37.8 |
| 1978 | 43.4 | 37.6 |
| 1977 | 43 | 37.4 |
| 1976 | 42.6 | 37.1 |
| 1975 | 39 | 36.9 |
| 1974 | 39 | 36.6 |
| 1973 | 41.1 | 36.3 |
| 1972 | 40.7 | 31.3 |
| 1971 | 41.5 | 31 |
| 1970 | 41.2 | 25.6 |
| 1969 | 40.8 | 25.4 |
| 1968 | 40.5 | 26.1 |
| 1967 | 40.2 | 25.9 |
| 1966 | 37.6 | 25.6 |
| 1965 | 39.6 | 28.8 |
| 1964 | 39.2 | 32.5 |
| 1963 | 38.8 | 28.2 |
| 1962 | 38.3 | 28.5 |
| 1961 | 37.9 | 28.3 |
| 1960 | 37.4 | 28.1 |
| 1959 | 37 | 27.8 |
| 1958 | 30.9 | 27.6 |
| 1957 | 30.4 | 30.9 |
| 1956 | 35.6 | 31.6 |
| 1955 | 35.2 | 32 |
| 1954 | 34.8 | 31.7 |
| 1953 | 34.4 | 31.4 |
| 1952 | 34 | 31 |
| 1951 | 33.6 | 30.6 |
| 1950 | 33.3 | 30.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY
Eritrea and South Sudan population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 3,535,603 | 11,943,408 |
| 2023 | 3,470,390 | 11,483,374 |
| 2022 | 3,409,447 | 11,021,177 |
| 2021 | 3,350,183 | 10,865,780 |
| 2020 | 3,291,271 | 10,698,467 |
| 2019 | 3,240,194 | 10,423,384 |
| 2018 | 3,192,760 | 10,122,977 |
| 2017 | 3,150,347 | 10,259,154 |
| 2016 | 3,124,698 | 10,830,102 |
| 2015 | 3,105,546 | 11,107,561 |
| 2014 | 3,095,173 | 11,235,073 |
| 2013 | 3,074,360 | 11,166,275 |
| 2012 | 3,036,988 | 10,756,240 |
| 2011 | 2,998,485 | 10,288,109 |
| 2010 | 2,945,186 | 9,745,953 |
| 2009 | 2,887,885 | 9,243,556 |
| 2008 | 2,816,327 | 8,817,647 |
| 2007 | 2,743,222 | 8,388,788 |
| 2006 | 2,703,502 | 7,976,526 |
| 2005 | 2,661,215 | 7,590,143 |
| 2004 | 2,598,284 | 7,233,041 |
| 2003 | 2,493,903 | 6,903,127 |
| 2002 | 2,392,978 | 6,596,806 |
| 2001 | 2,312,079 | 6,308,391 |
| 2000 | 2,247,031 | 6,032,267 |
| 1999 | 2,212,780 | 5,771,628 |
| 1998 | 2,180,419 | 5,620,068 |
| 1997 | 2,152,135 | 5,509,136 |
| 1996 | 2,128,464 | 5,356,925 |
| 1995 | 2,025,267 | 5,225,836 |
| 1994 | 1,913,915 | 5,071,184 |
| 1993 | 1,856,006 | 4,956,002 |
| 1992 | 1,798,748 | 4,909,749 |
| 1991 | 1,919,571 | 4,836,677 |
| 1990 | 2,032,737 | 4,737,633 |
| 1989 | 1,987,017 | 4,713,229 |
| 1988 | 1,938,255 | 4,848,029 |
| 1987 | 1,888,669 | 4,962,395 |
| 1986 | 1,845,164 | 4,921,240 |
| 1985 | 1,807,816 | 4,834,296 |
| 1984 | 1,771,730 | 4,750,627 |
| 1983 | 1,736,160 | 4,661,574 |
| 1982 | 1,695,461 | 4,557,686 |
| 1981 | 1,649,939 | 4,447,272 |
| 1980 | 1,605,797 | 4,339,030 |
| 1979 | 1,563,332 | 4,232,605 |
| 1978 | 1,522,378 | 4,127,657 |
| 1977 | 1,482,565 | 4,024,032 |
| 1976 | 1,443,807 | 3,921,910 |
| 1975 | 1,408,210 | 3,821,494 |
| 1974 | 1,375,688 | 3,723,259 |
| 1973 | 1,342,669 | 3,627,383 |
| 1972 | 1,309,235 | 3,542,497 |
| 1971 | 1,276,154 | 3,468,646 |
| 1970 | 1,243,453 | 3,409,614 |
| 1969 | 1,212,005 | 3,365,533 |
| 1968 | 1,181,737 | 3,321,528 |
| 1967 | 1,152,339 | 3,277,648 |
| 1966 | 1,124,957 | 3,236,423 |
| 1965 | 1,098,335 | 3,189,835 |
| 1964 | 1,071,287 | 3,129,918 |
| 1963 | 1,045,092 | 3,072,669 |
| 1962 | 1,019,788 | 3,024,308 |
| 1961 | 995,573 | 2,976,724 |
| 1960 | 972,547 | 2,931,559 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY
Fertility rates in Eritrea and South Sudan
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2023 | 3.71 | 3.86 |
| 2022 | 3.79 | 3.96 |
| 2021 | 3.87 | 4.05 |
| 2020 | 3.93 | 4.16 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4.26 |
| 2018 | 4.06 | 4.37 |
| 2017 | 4.11 | 4.48 |
| 2016 | 4.16 | 4.58 |
| 2015 | 4.22 | 4.7 |
| 2014 | 4.27 | 4.82 |
| 2013 | 4.34 | 4.94 |
| 2012 | 4.41 | 5.06 |
| 2011 | 4.49 | 5.19 |
| 2010 | 4.57 | 5.32 |
| 2009 | 4.66 | 5.45 |
| 2008 | 4.74 | 5.57 |
| 2007 | 4.81 | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 4.88 | 5.85 |
| 2005 | 4.93 | 6.02 |
| 2004 | 5.04 | 6.19 |
| 2003 | 5.14 | 6.35 |
| 2002 | 5.23 | 6.52 |
| 2001 | 5.31 | 6.65 |
| 2000 | 5.4 | 6.8 |
| 1999 | 5.52 | 6.94 |
| 1998 | 5.63 | 7.08 |
| 1997 | 5.74 | 7.2 |
| 1996 | 5.84 | 7.32 |
| 1995 | 5.94 | 7.34 |
| 1994 | 6.01 | 7.35 |
| 1993 | 6.07 | 7.36 |
| 1992 | 6.16 | 7.37 |
| 1991 | 6.24 | 7.38 |
| 1990 | 6.34 | 7.38 |
| 1989 | 6.41 | 7.37 |
| 1988 | 6.47 | 7.38 |
| 1987 | 6.52 | 7.39 |
| 1986 | 6.56 | 7.38 |
| 1985 | 6.59 | 7.36 |
| 1984 | 6.62 | 7.35 |
| 1983 | 6.65 | 7.34 |
| 1982 | 6.63 | 7.34 |
| 1981 | 6.62 | 7.33 |
| 1980 | 6.61 | 7.33 |
| 1979 | 6.62 | 7.32 |
| 1978 | 6.61 | 7.33 |
| 1977 | 6.61 | 7.33 |
| 1976 | 6.6 | 7.33 |
| 1975 | 6.59 | 7.33 |
| 1974 | 6.57 | 7.31 |
| 1973 | 6.55 | 7.31 |
| 1972 | 6.54 | 7.31 |
| 1971 | 6.54 | 7.3 |
| 1970 | 6.54 | 7.29 |
| 1969 | 6.5 | 7.28 |
| 1968 | 6.5 | 7.26 |
| 1967 | 6.5 | 7.26 |
| 1966 | 6.5 | 7.25 |
| 1965 | 6.49 | 7.22 |
| 1964 | 6.49 | 7.22 |
| 1963 | 6.48 | 7.2 |
| 1962 | 6.5 | 7.2 |
| 1961 | 6.47 | 7.18 |
| 1960 | 6.48 | 7.16 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY
Eritrea and South Sudan demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 19.9 | 19.4 |
| 2023 | 19.7 | 19 |
| 2022 | 19.5 | 18.7 |
| 2021 | 19.3 | 18.4 |
| 2020 | 19.1 | 18.2 |
| 2019 | 18.9 | 17.8 |
| 2018 | 18.7 | 17.3 |
| 2017 | 18.5 | 17.4 |
| 2016 | 18.4 | 18.2 |
| 2015 | 18.4 | 18.6 |
| 2014 | 18.5 | 19 |
| 2013 | 18.5 | 19.3 |
| 2012 | 18.5 | 19.2 |
| 2011 | 18.5 | 19 |
| 2010 | 18.4 | 18.7 |
| 2009 | 18.4 | 18.4 |
| 2008 | 18.2 | 18.2 |
| 2007 | 18.1 | 18 |
| 2006 | 18.2 | 17.8 |
| 2005 | 18.3 | 17.6 |
| 2004 | 18.3 | 17.4 |
| 2003 | 18 | 17.3 |
| 2002 | 17.7 | 17.3 |
| 2001 | 17.5 | 17.3 |
| 2000 | 17.4 | 17.2 |
| 1999 | 17.5 | 17.1 |
| 1998 | 17.8 | 17 |
| 1997 | 18 | 16.9 |
| 1996 | 18.4 | 16.9 |
| 1995 | 18.1 | 16.9 |
| 1994 | 17.6 | 16.9 |
| 1993 | 17.6 | 16.9 |
| 1992 | 17.5 | 17 |
| 1991 | 17.6 | 17 |
| 1990 | 17.6 | 17 |
| 1989 | 17.7 | 17.1 |
| 1988 | 17.8 | 16.8 |
| 1987 | 17.9 | 16.5 |
| 1986 | 17.9 | 16.6 |
| 1985 | 17.8 | 16.7 |
| 1984 | 17.8 | 16.8 |
| 1983 | 17.7 | 16.8 |
| 1982 | 17.7 | 16.9 |
| 1981 | 17.7 | 17 |
| 1980 | 17.8 | 17.1 |
| 1979 | 17.8 | 17.1 |
| 1978 | 17.8 | 17.2 |
| 1977 | 17.9 | 17.2 |
| 1976 | 18 | 17.3 |
| 1975 | 18.1 | 17.4 |
| 1974 | 18.2 | 17.4 |
| 1973 | 18.2 | 17.5 |
| 1972 | 18.3 | 17.5 |
| 1971 | 18.5 | 17.6 |
| 1970 | 18.6 | 17.7 |
| 1969 | 18.8 | 17.9 |
| 1968 | 18.9 | 18 |
| 1967 | 18.9 | 18.2 |
| 1966 | 19 | 18.3 |
| 1965 | 19 | 18.3 |
| 1964 | 19 | 18.4 |
| 1963 | 19 | 18.4 |
| 1962 | 18.9 | 18.5 |
| 1961 | 18.9 | 18.5 |
| 1960 | 18.8 | 18.6 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/eritrea/south-sudan | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Eritrea and South Sudan.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$1.94B
2011 |
$11.7B
2015 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
31.3%
2019 |
18.1%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.13%
2006 |
1.57%
2016 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
20.9%
2003 |
1.96%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
202,000
2020 |
53,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+2.72%
2019 |
+11.7%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.8%
2017 |
12.3%
2008 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
56.6%
2015 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
21.8%
2009 |
33.1%
2015 |
| Economic freedom index |
39.6
2026 |
41
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
33%
2016 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
1.8%
2016 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$192M
2019 |
$72.9M
2023 |
| Personal remittances received |
$3.28M
2000 |
$1.14B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
142,000
2016 |
n/a |
| International tourism as share of exports |
36.8%
2000 |
0.39%
2018 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
5.83%
2021 |
Energy
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
289.5 kg
2022 |
69 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$6.73
2011 |
$15.1
2015 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
0.78 megatons
2024 |
n/a |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.22 tons
2024 |
n/a |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
22.4%
2022 |
73.4%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
80.7%
2021 |
32.4%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
0.1%
2022 |
0.4%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
34.8%
2004 |
-860%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
102.4 kWh
2022 |
46.9 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
5.79%
2021 |
0.34%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
54.4%
2023 |
5.4%
2023 |
Society
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.04%
2024 |
0.15%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-6,698
2025 |
+6,145
2025 |
| Urban population |
34.5%
2024 |
21.4%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.4:50.6
2024 |
49.2:50.8
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.6 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Average female height |
5.17 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Quality of life index |
9.53
2026 |
4.76
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
13
2025 |
9
2025 |
| Higher education index |
5
2026 |
14
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
14.6
2012 |
14.1
2012 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
37.9
2019 |
36.7
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
49
2025 |
50
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
76.6%
2018 |
34.5%
2018 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
94%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
20%
2023 |
9.27%
2020 |
Health
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$28.3
2023 |
$72.8
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$13.7
2023 |
$19.7
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
69.4 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
28.5%
2023 |
62.3%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.09
2022 |
0.04
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
21.3 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
291
2023 |
692
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
35.4
2023 |
98.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
4.94%
2022 |
8.79%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
4.4%
2024 |
4.6%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
30
2026 |
22
2026 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
1.07 liters
2020 |
n/a |
Territory
|
Eritrea
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
0.42%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
13,233 sq mi
2024 |
20,429 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
29,313 sq mi
2026 |
109,449 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
4,038 sq mi
2026 |
27,633 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
9,942 mi
2018 |
n/a |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2011–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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