South Sudan’s economic decline fuels poverty growth rates, say officials
Latest World Bank report records poverty levels in south Sudan at 99.7 percent, a sharp increase from the 2022 Household Budget Survey, that placed the rate at 76 percent
By Aguok Chok
A senior economist at the World Bank, Frank Adoho has attributed the increasing poverty rate among South Sudanese citizens to the continued economic deterioration.
According to statistics from the 2022 Household Budget Survey, 76 percent of the population were estimated to be living in poverty. This year, the poverty level has shot to 99.7 percent.
“Despite regional variations, poverty remains widespread across the country,” Adoho told a gathering yesterday.
Adoho’s report stressed that poverty is especially concentrated in areas with dense populations.
States such as Jonglei, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap account for 40% of South Sudan’s poor population. Household characteristics also play a significant role in the levels of poverty, with education being a critical factor. The data revealed that 83% of individuals without education are poor, compared to 42% of those with university degrees. Furthermore, 71% of South Sudanese households rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, with rural farmers being the hardest hit by poverty.
One of the key challenges identified in Adoho’s presentation was poor access to markets and services, particularly in rural areas.
“Around 60% of the poorest households are over an hour away from a market,” he stated, emphasizing that these logistical barriers exacerbate poverty. Moreover, lack of access to education, healthcare, and basic utilities pushes 93% of the population into poverty when these factors are considered.
Between 2015 and 2022, South Sudan’s economy took a severe blow, with a 33% decline in GDP per capita. The inflationary pressures and the impact of ongoing conflicts and displacement have only worsened the situation, deepening poverty.
In 2022, 73% of households were classified as moderately or severely food insecure.
“The main drivers of food insecurity are inadequate food production, limited market access, and the ongoing conflict,” Adoho noted.
He called for improvement in market access, boosting agricultural production, and resolving conflicts to create sustainable sources of food and income for households.
These challenges have particularly affected rural communities, where 55% of households are forced to travel over an hour to reach markets.
Meanwhile, Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Chairperson of South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics, echoed Adoho’s findings and underscored the critical role of data in addressing the country’s issues. He praised the World Bank for providing valuable data on poverty and equity, which will guide future development efforts.
“Data is essential for informed decision-making,” Mayai said, stressing that regular production of such reports would help the government plan better policies and interventions.
He pointed out that the sample size in the report was small, limiting the ability to generalize results, and called for more investments in data collection to improve the accuracy of future reports.
Mayai also highlighted the collaboration between South Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistics and international organizations like UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank. These partnerships aim to bridge data gaps and improve the quality of information available for development planning.
“The evidence in this report opens our eyes to new opportunities,” he said, urging policymakers and development partners to use this data to guide their actions.”
Mayai emphasized the need for more robust data collection to ensure that development programs are based on reliable evidence.
“Data-driven decision-making will empower us to address these challenges and bring lasting change to South Sudan,” he concluded.
The officials said tackling South Sudan’s poverty and food insecurity requires not only financial aid but also long-term structural solutions.
