Health in Sudan

Sudan, a country of about 52 million people, faces severe public health challenges shaped by decades of conflict, economic instability, and underfunded health services. Sudan has a predominantly young population, with a median age of 18.5 years (as of 2025). The total life expectancy for males and females at birth was estimated at 63 and 70 years, respectively, and this is considered the average for least developed countries.The under-five mortality rate declined from 128 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 77 in 2015 and 52 in 2025. The maternal mortality ratio was 360/100,000 in 2015 compared to 720/100,000 in 1990.

Sudan has a high incidence of debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases, the persistence of which reflects difficult ecological conditions, high levels of malnutrition, an inadequate health-care system, and conflict and violence. Sudan is also susceptible to non-communicable diseases, natural and manmade disasters. Drought, flood, internal conflicts, and outbreaks of violence are quite common, which bring about a burden of traumatic disease and demand for high quality emergency health care.

In 2018, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative estimated that Sudan was achieving only about 62% of its expected performance in ensuring the right to health, given the country's income level. Following the war in Sudan after 15 April 2023, many health facilities, staff and related infrastructure in the country have been severely impacted, with large sections of the population unable to receive health treatment.