South Sudan underwent a brutal longest civil war with the Sudan government for over twenty years, which decreased the population. Still, after South Sudan gained independence, the population increased again because many displaced people returned to South Sudan during the longest civil war. In 2013, when South Sudan returned to its civil war again, thousands of people were displaced to neighboring countries, such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Others are still displaced within South Sudan.

Still today, some displaced people during Sudan’s longest civil war are not returned to South Sudan because of a lack of development such as roads, bridges, railways and overall modern infrastructures that show living conditions. Since then, people have traveled by air in South Sudan. As a new country on the face of the earth with a higher uneducated population, it does not easy to access some parts of South Sudan. The conflict gradually continued in some areas that were occupied by rebels. UNMISS tried to quell the situation, but gunmen continued to kill civilians.

Population growth

In 2013, the total population was 11.11 million. South Sudanese people were subjected to the longest civil war over two decades in which around two million people were killed, and some died due to war, hunger and diseases. At the same time, four million people were displaced during the war. South Sudan has population growth issues in economic development because the total population is assumed to be around 11.11 million, and it dropped to 10.75 million in 2021 because of the civil war in the country.

According to the CIA World Factbook, South Sudan’s population is estimated to be 12.13 million. The population appears to grow drastically regardless of the civil war in South Sudan. Given this alarming population growth, it becomes complicated because South Sudan has no sustainable economic development. The human capital stated by the World Bank (2023) is that a child born would be 31 percent productive when growing up and finishing education with total health.

The population continued to increase after the peace agreement was signed in Khartoum. As the population decreased to 10.75 million due to the civil war, some reports show the population growth in South Sudan. Notably, the population increases due to returnees from Sudan.

Education Overview

South Sudan’s education system is indigent. Illiteracy rates are high in South Sudan. According to the United Nations, more than seventy percent of South Sudanese cannot read and write. USAID states that over 70% of the population is under 30, but many South Sudanese youths lack education skills. The World Bank (WB) said that only 48% of South Sudanese youths are literate. Education systems provide priorities for all genders, but female children still face challenges attaining schools due to gender neglection. UNICEF reported that fewer girls attend schools, and less than one percent complete their primary education in South Sudan.

In South Sudan, no policies exclude low-income people, but people with money take their children outside South Sudan for better education (K12academic.com). No disturbing reports exist about particular ethnic groups being discriminated against in South Sudan’s educational systems. The conflict is the only problem that prevents many children from attending school in some parts of South Sudan. The armed rebel groups continue to destabilize and obstruct the infrastructure development so that people will have access to various services in South Sudan. Some states do not have access, and children do not enroll in school because of the insecurity in those states such as Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei.

Health care

 The World health organization expressed concerns about health challenges of poor access to health services because of health workforce shortage and lack of health infrastructures. The maternal, infant and child mortality rate are some of the highest in the world, and the life expectancy rate is low at 56.5 years. As stated in the paragraph, high infant mortality means a health and disease burden in terms of health risk in South Sudan.

All these conditions indicate that human capital is in danger in South Sudan. Many factors contribute to the country’s health issues, ranging from insecurity, lack of clean drink, shortage of health facilities, low human capital and conflicts. South Sudan has faced these challenges, but organizations are working hard to help South Sudan develop. The scripture says, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” The church faith-based organizations play crucial roles in providing services and words of God to people in South Sudan.

Finally, although the South Sudan government still encounters challenges, there are little changes in education and health through the support of many nongovernmental organizations providing education and health across South Sudan. Also, the South Sudan government is committed to maintaining the peace agreement so that the UN can deliver aid to millions of people displaced from Sudan and encourage people to resume their normal activities across South Sudan.

References

CIA (2023). The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/#people-and-society.

World Bank (WB)(2023). The human Capital index.

https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/hci/HCI_2pager_SSD.pdf.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2022). Strengthening primary health care in fragile settings: South Sudan. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/.

USAID (2023). Education in South Sudan. https://www.usaid.gov/south-sudan/education.

K12academic.com (2023). https://www.k12academics.com/Education%20Worldwide/education-south-sudan