The Human Development Index (HDI) is a global indicator used to measure a country’s progress in three key dimensions of human development: health, education, and living standards. Sudan, a country in Northeast Africa, is characterized by moderate but fragile human development, marked by complex political, economic, and social challenges. Sudan has experienced a volatile evolution in recent decades, with internal conflicts, economic crises, and geopolitical tensions affecting its HDI.
1. Evolution of the HDI in Sudan
Sudan’s HDI is classified as a low human development country. Although the country has made progress in some areas in recent years, the HDI remains relatively low compared to the world average. Sudan has gone through a series of crises, including a protracted civil war, regional conflicts, economic sanctions, and a recent separation process from South Sudan in 2011, which deprived the country of many natural resources, including oil.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made in areas such as primary education and health, but this progress has been uneven and often fragile, due to political crises and internal conflicts. Sudan’s HDI reflects the multiple challenges facing the country.
2. Education in Sudan
Education in Sudan has made progress in recent decades, although the country faces considerable challenges. Primary school enrolment has increased significantly in recent years, and efforts have been made to expand access to secondary and higher education. However, regional disparities remain, with rural areas and conflict-affected regions having limited access to schools.
Literacy has improved, although figures remain below the global average. Adult literacy rates are still low, and gender inequality remains a major problem. Girls face greater barriers to education, especially in rural areas and during conflicts. Women have lower enrolment rates than men, limiting their future opportunities.
Sudan’s education system also suffers from a lack of resources, a shortage of qualified teachers and inadequate infrastructure in many areas. War and mass displacement have damaged schools and pushed children out of the education system.
3. Health in Sudan
Sudan’s health situation is marked by limited progress and significant challenges. Life expectancy has increased slightly in recent years, but remains relatively low compared to other countries in the region. Child mortality remains high, although efforts have been made to reduce child deaths through improved immunisation and management of infectious diseases.
Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhoeal infections remain major public health challenges. Sudan also struggles with occasional epidemics, such as cholera, which affect some parts of the country. Malnutrition, particularly among children, remains a serious concern, particularly in rural areas and during periods of conflict.
The health system faces serious funding, infrastructure and skilled staff shortages, particularly outside urban areas. Sudan also suffers from a lack of access to quality health care in rural and remote areas, and gender inequalities influence women’s access to health care, particularly in relation to maternal and reproductive health services.
4. Living Standards and the Economy of Sudan
Sudan’s economy is in crisis, and its gross national income per capita remains relatively low, affected by decades of conflict, international economic sanctions, and the loss of oil resources following the separation of South Sudan. Economic instability is exacerbated by high inflation rates, an unstable currency, and difficulties accessing international markets.
The country relies heavily on oil exports, but since the loss of South Sudan’s oil reserves, the Sudanese economy has had to reorganize around sectors such as agriculture, which remains the main source of income for a large part of the population. However, problems such as recurring drought, lack of agricultural infrastructure, and internal conflicts severely limit productivity.
Unemployment remains a major problem, particularly among youth and university graduates. Lack of economic opportunities, political instability, and chronic humanitarian crises make life difficult for many Sudanese citizens. Social inequalities are also a concern, with a large part of the population living in extreme poverty, especially in rural areas and conflict-affected regions.
5. Social and Political Challenges
Sudan faces political and social challenges that strongly influence its human development. The country has experienced a long civil war, which led to partition in 2011 with the creation of South Sudan. Internal conflicts persist in regions such as Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile, fueled by ethnic and political tensions. These conflicts have caused massive population displacement and recurring humanitarian crises.
The Sudanese government has faced criticism over human rights, civil liberties, and political repression, including during the 2018-2019 popular uprisings that led to the fall of Omar al-Bashir’s regime. Recent political transitions have been marked by instability and a lack of public trust in public institutions.
Sexual violence and gender discrimination are also major challenges. Women, particularly in rural areas and conflict regions, are often victims of violence, forced marriage, and discriminatory social practices. Gender inequalities affect education, employment, and access to health care.
Conclusion
Sudan remains a low human development country, with an HDI that reflects limited progress in health, education, and the economy, hampered by internal conflicts, political instability, economic crises, and regional disparity. Despite notable progress in some areas, including access to primary education and the fight against infectious diseases, Mauritania faces serious social and economic challenges that require a major overhaul of its development policies. Improving its HDI will require Sudan to address its internal political challenges, invest in social and economic infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to services for the entire population.
