GDP in Sudan

Published 2026-10-16 · 24Peaks Research

GDP in Sudan

Sudan's gross domestic product (GDP) measures the total market value of all final goods and services produced within the country's borders in a given period. As of the latest available year, Sudan remains a lower-income economy whose output is heavily concentrated in agriculture, gold mining, and services, with GDP heavily influenced by conflict, currency instability, and oil-related trade flows. For the most current figures and historical series, 24Peaks hosts the latest available GDP data for Sudan.

What GDP Measures in Sudan

GDP is the standard measure of an economy's size. In Sudan, the Central Bureau of Statistics and international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank compile GDP using production and expenditure approaches consistent with the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008).

• Nominal GDP is expressed in current Sudanese pounds and converted to US dollars for cross-country comparison. Because the Sudanese pound has depreciated sharply and multiple exchange rates have existed, dollar comparisons should be treated with caution.
• Real GDP adjusts for inflation, which has been very high in Sudan, making real growth a better measure of underlying output than nominal figures.
• GDP per capita divides total output by population, giving a rough proxy for average income. Sudan's GDP per capita remains low by global standards.

The IMF and World Bank regularly note that Sudan's statistical capacity is constrained, so GDP estimates carry wider margins of error than in most middle-income economies.

Why Sudan's GDP Matters

GDP is the benchmark for assessing Sudan's economic trajectory and is used by investors, policymakers, and development institutions for several purposes:

• Growth trends signal whether the economy is expanding or contracting. Sudan has experienced both rapid growth periods, particularly during oil production years before South Sudan's secession in 2011, and severe contractions tied to conflict and political instability.
• Fiscal and monetary policy depend on GDP estimates to gauge debt sustainability, tax capacity, and the scale of external financing needs.
• Sector composition reveals vulnerabilities. Agriculture employs a large share of the workforce, while gold exports have become a major source of foreign exchange, making GDP sensitive to commodity prices.
• Per capita GDP informs poverty analysis and humanitarian planning, especially during periods of internal displacement and disrupted trade routes.

For investors, Sudan's GDP is a starting point rather than a complete picture. High informality means a substantial share of economic activity may be under-recorded.

Recent Trends and Regional Patterns

As of the latest available year, Sudan's economy has been shaped by the conflict that began in 2023, which disrupted production, trade, and public services across large parts of the country. Real GDP has contracted in recent estimates, with the largest disruptions in Khartoum and Darfur.

• Khartoum and central states: traditionally the industrial, financial, and services hub. Conflict has damaged infrastructure and displaced businesses, sharply reducing output in these areas.
• Gezira and eastern agricultural states: cotton, sorghum, and gum arabic production remain important, though transport and input costs have risen.
• Red Sea and northern states: Port Sudan functions as the main trade gateway, and gold mining in the north has become a key export earner.
• Darfur and southern regions: economic activity is more subsistence-based, with livestock and small-scale trade dominating and limited formal statistical coverage.

Because regional GDP data for Sudan is partial, national aggregates remain the primary reference. Historical cycles are notable: oil-driven growth before 2011, adjustment after South Sudan's independence, and recurring shocks from inflation, currency reform, and conflict.

Comparison With Other Economies

Sudan's GDP profile is best understood alongside other commodity- and agriculture-dependent economies. The table below compares recent values using latest available data, with year labels to avoid ambiguity.

Direct comparison is complicated by exchange rate regimes, statistical revisions, and informality. Sudan's GDP per capita is generally among the lowest in the group, reflecting decades of instability and limited diversification.

Limitations of Sudan's GDP Data

GDP is a useful but imperfect indicator in Sudan's context.

• Statistical capacity: data collection is interrupted by conflict and displacement, so estimates rely on modeling and partial surveys.
• Exchange rate distortions: parallel and official rates have diverged significantly, affecting nominal GDP converted to dollars.
• Informal economy: large portions of trade, farming, and services are not captured in formal accounts.
• Oil and gold dependency: commodity price swings can exaggerate or mask underlying economic performance.
• Revisions: international institutions periodically revise historical series, so year-over-year comparisons should use consistent vintages.

For these reasons, investors and analysts typically combine GDP with inflation, trade balance, and fiscal data before drawing conclusions about Sudan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sudan's GDP in US dollars?

Sudan's nominal GDP in US dollars varies significantly with exchange rate movements. As of the latest available year, the dollar value is well below its pre-2011 peak when oil production was higher. 24Peaks hosts the latest available GDP series for Sudan.

Is Sudan's economy growing or shrinking?

Recent estimates indicate contraction due to conflict and disruption of trade and production. Periods of growth have historically been tied to oil, gold, and agricultural output. Check 24Peaks for the latest year-on-year growth figure.

What drives Sudan's GDP?

Agriculture, gold mining, and services are the main contributors. Gold has become a leading export earner, while gum arabic and livestock remain important. Oil-related activity declined after South Sudan's secession in 2011.

How does Sudan compare with Egypt and Ethiopia?

Egypt has a much larger and more diversified economy, while Ethiopia has a larger agricultural base. Sudan's GDP per capita is generally lower than both, reflecting prolonged instability. Using the same year and data source is essential for fair comparison.

Why is Sudan's GDP data uncertain?

Statistical capacity is limited by conflict, displacement, and informality. Multiple exchange rates also distort dollar comparisons. International institutions therefore issue estimates with wider uncertainty ranges than for most economies.

Compare GDP and other macroeconomic indicators for Sudan and peer countries on the 24Peaks workbench.