Sudan often appears in global rankings for a wide range of reasons, from geography and natural resources to culture and demographics. While many of these listings highlight well-known aspects of the country, others place Sudan in more unexpected or lesser-known categories, offering a different perspective on its global standing.
The Sudanist has compiled a list of global rankings in which Sudan ranks either high or low, reflecting both positive and negative indicators.
Note: Some of the rankings of Sudan may be a result of the country’s ongoing war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It has led to the country being recognised as the world’s largest displacement crisis, with an estimated 12 to 14 million people displaced, and world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Sudan is the 16th largest country in the world, with a land area of 1,861,484 sq km.
Sudan ranks 30th globally in population and second in the Arab region, with over 51 million people.
Sudan ranks 16th globally in the number of births per hour, with an estimated 192 births per hour.
Sudan ranks 15th globally and first in the Arab region in terms of reproductive health and physical fitness.
Sudan has one of the lowest caesarean section rates globally, estimated at around 7–8%.
Sudan ranks first in the Arab region for average weekly working hours, at 50.8 hours per week.
Sudan ranks second in the Arab region for unemployment, with an estimated rate of 20.8%. It is frequently listed among the top five countries globally with the highest unemployment rates in some independent sources. The country faces a severe employment crisis, with various reports placing it among the highest globally. The situation is further shaped by political instability, ongoing conflict, and a highly informal labour market estimated at around 94.4%.
Sudan ranks among the top 10 countries with the lowest female employment rates in the world, placing seventh at 14.5%.
Sudan ranks second in the world for highest public debt levels.
Sudan ranks fifth among the world’s hardest countries to visit in 2026.
Sudan ranks first in the Arab region and among the top three in Africa for total livestock population, estimated at around 105–107 million animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. Livestock is a vital sector, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and exports.
Sudan ranks as the highest-producing Arab country in beef production, with approximately 366,000 tonnes.
Sudan is reported to have the largest horse population in the Arab world, with estimates in 2025/2026 ranging from around 794,800 to 796,400 horses. This places it among the higher-ranking countries globally and at the top within the Arab League.
Sudan ranks second in the Arab region for camel population, with an estimated 4.5 to 5 million camels.
Sudan ranks first in the Arab region in terms of land suitable for cultivation.
Sudan ranks third in Africa among countries with the highest number of homeless people in 2025, with at least 3 million people affected — equivalent to 776 per 10,000 individuals. Notably, Sudan is currently experiencing the world’s largest displacement crisis, with an estimated 12 to 14 million people displaced due to the ongoing war that began in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan ranks fifth in the Arab region in 2025 based on reported mental health prevalence rates.
Sudan is reported to rank fifth globally based on available estimates of depression prevalence.
Sudan is Africa’s third-largest gold producer, with output reaching around 70 tonnes. Gold accounts for about 70% of the country’s exports, with more than 85% of production coming from artisanal miners. Sudan is also a significant global producer, consistently ranking among the top 20 countries worldwide.
Sudan is the world’s largest producer of gum Arabic, accounting for around 70%–80% of global supply. It is primarily sourced from high-quality Hashab (Acacia Senegal) trees in Sudan’s vast ‘gum belt’. As a key ingredient in soft drinks, food, and pharmaceuticals, gum Arabic is a globally important natural resin.
Sudan ranks third among the world’s riskiest markets, with a risk–return trade-off of 30.9%. Countries at this level reflect extreme uncertainty, often linked to political instability, conflict, or economic crisis.
Sudan ranks 19th globally for the lowest petrol prices, with an average price of $0.70 per litre in March 2026.
Sudan ranks first in the Arab region and among global Islamic finance centres in 2025, based on the size of Islamic banking assets, estimated at $484 billion.
Sudan frequently ranks among the top 35 countries globally for road traffic deaths. It has one of the highest traffic fatality rates worldwide, with estimates ranging from 26.8 to over 36 deaths per 100,000 people depending on the dataset. Annual fatalities are reported to exceed 11,000. The high rate is driven by factors such as reckless driving, weak enforcement, and poor road infrastructure. In some rankings, Sudan is placed as high as fourth globally for road traffic death rates, at approximately 36.7 deaths per 100,000 people per year.
Sudan ranks 21st in the world drug-related death rates – 3.34 death rate per 100,000 people.
Mohammed is the most common male and baby boy name in Sudan.
Sudan is reported to rank first in the Arab region in terms of average hair length.
Sudan ranks first in the Arab region as a country where McDonald’s has never opened.
