•Population Census (2008): 8.26 million•GDP Growth: -2.30% (2021)•Inflation Rate: 58.21% (May, 2025)•Population Census (2008): 8.26 million•GDP Growth: -2.30% (2021)•Inflation Rate: 58.21% (May, 2025)

Gender Statistics: Facts and Figures

Comprehensive gender-disaggregated data from PES 2021, GBV Prevalence Survey 2022, Global MPI 2022, and CRM & UNHCR.

By Lomundu Denis | Last Updated: 13-06-2025

Key Gender Indicators

Literacy Rate (Female)

29%

Literate female population

Source: PES 2021

Literacy Rate (Male)

43%

Literate male population

Source: PES 2021

Gender-Based Violence (Women)

75.8%

Women affected by GBV

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Gender-Based Violence (Men)

75.7%

Men affected by GBV

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Forced Marriage (Women)

27.5%

Women in forced marriage

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Forced Marriage (Men)

10.5%

Men in forced marriage

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Child Marriage (Women)

34.6%

Women married as children

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Population Distribution and Governance

South Sudan Population Pyramid

Data managed from CMS → Gender → Population.

Population Structure Analysis

South Sudan has a youthful population structure with the largest age groups in the younger cohorts. Total population represented here: 12,444,015 (6,582,927 Female + 5,861,088 Male).

Distribution of Elderly Population by Gender

Data managed from CMS → Gender → Elderly.

Gender distribution among elderly population (60+ years) showing detailed age breakdown by gender.

Age Group Female (%) Male (%) Total (%)
60-64 1.65% 1.66% 3.31%
65-69 1.18% 1.11% 2.29%
70-74 0.95% 0.37% 1.32%
75-79 0.47% 0.16% 0.63%
80-84 0.37% 0.47% 0.84%
85-89 0.16% 0.00% 0.16%
90-94 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Elderly Population Insights

Females generally show higher representation in older age groups, reflecting longer life expectancy.

Literacy and Education Statistics

Literacy Rate by Gender

Data managed from CMS → Gender → Literacy.

Category Gender Percentage
Literate Female Female 29.0%
Illiterate Female Female 71.0%
Literate Male Male 43.0%
Illiterate Male Male 57.0%

Source: PES 2021

Gender-Based Violence Prevalence (Ages 15-49)

GBV Prevalence by Type and Gender

Data managed from CMS → Gender → GBV.

Type of Violence Male Prevalence Female Prevalence Gender Gap Highest Affected
Physical Violence 38.6% 34.0% +4.6% Male Higher
Sexual Violence 3.7% 11.5% 7.8% Female Higher
Psychological Violence 29.9% 30.6% 0.7% Nearly Equal
Forced Marriage 10.0% 27.5% 17.5% Female Higher
Economic Violence 24.7% 28.2% 3.5% Female Higher

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

GBV Prevalence: Male vs Female

Derived from GBV table above.

GBV Gender Gap Analysis

Derived from GBV table above.

Refugee Statistics

Refugees by Age Group and Gender

Data managed from CMS → Gender → Refugees.

Age Group Male Female Total
12-17 years 64 64 128
16-59 years 54 54 108
60+ years 30 20 50

Source: CRM & UNHCR

GBV Prevalence by Type and Gender

Gender-Based Violence prevalence data from GBV Prevalence Survey 2022

Type of Violence Male Prevalence Female Prevalence Gender Gap Highest Affected
Physical Violence 38.6% 34% +4.6% (M) Male Higher
Sexual Violence 3.7% 11.5% +7.8% (F) Female Higher
Psychological Violence 29.9% 30.6% +0.7% (F) Nearly Equal
Forced Marriage 10% 27.5% +17.5% (F) Female Higher
Economic Violence 24.7% 28.2% +3.5% (F) Female Higher

Source: GBV Prevalence Survey 2022, The Sudd Institute

Distribution of Elderly Population by Gender

Elderly population distribution showing detailed age breakdown by gender

Age Group Female (%) Male (%) Total (%)
60-64 1.65% 1.66% 3.31%
65-69 1.18% 1.11% 2.29%
70-74 0.95% 0.37% 1.32%
75-79 0.47% 0.16% 0.63%
80-84 0.37% 0.47% 0.84%
85-89 0.16% Data not specified 0.16%+
90-94 Data not specified Data not specified Minimal

Source: Population Estimation Survey (PES) 2021

Data Sources and Methodology

Primary Data Sources

  • PES 2021: Population and Education Statistics
  • GBV Prevalence Survey 2022: Gender-Based Violence Data
  • CRM & UNHCR: Refugee and Migration Statistics

Geographic Coverage

  • Nationwide coverage across South Sudan
  • Representative sample for GBV survey
  • Refugee data from displacement contexts

Note: All statistics are gender-disaggregated where available. Data should be interpreted within the context of South Sudan's development challenges.