Sudan · Africa
How many people die in Sudan every day?
In Sudan, about 904 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 minutes. That is about 330,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 33rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 65.3 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
904
Deaths per year
330,000
Life expectancy
65.3 years
Population
48,109,006
Death rate
6.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Sudan
65.3
World avg
72.8
-7.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Sudan
6.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Sudan by time period
| Per hour | 38 |
| Per day | 904 |
| Per week | 6,329 |
| Per month | 27,500 |
| Per year | 330,000 |
What people die of in Sudan
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Sudan in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 14.4% of all deaths, about 119 a day. It was followed by stroke and war and conflict.
Deaths from war and conflict have increased about 7-fold since 2000, from about 3,321 to 21,764 a year. Deaths from birth asphyxia and birth trauma have fallen by 22% since 2000, from about 10,832 to 8,495 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 43,545 | 119 | 14.4% | +64% |
| 2 | Stroke | 27,260 | 75 | 9% | +30% |
| 3 | War and conflict | 21,764 | 60 | 7.2% | +555% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 21,058 | 58 | 6.9% | -6% |
| 5 | Preterm birth complications | 16,887 | 46 | 5.6% | +20% |
| 6 | Malaria | 11,057 | 30 | 3.6% | +93% |
| 7 | Road injuries | 9,451 | 26 | 3.1% | +37% |
| 8 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 8,495 | 23 | 2.8% | -22% |
| 9 | Congenital anomalies | 7,453 | 20 | 2.5% | +35% |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 7,392 | 20 | 2.4% | +105% |
Deaths in Sudan since 2000
WHO estimates that about 303,144 people died in Sudan in 2023, 29% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 235,409 deaths |
| 2010 | 226,543 deaths |
| 2019 | 244,531 deaths |
| 2023 | 303,144 deaths |
Life expectancy in Sudan since 1950
A baby born in Sudan in 1950 could expect to live about 45.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 66.3, a gain of 20.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 45.8 years |
| 1980 | 54.1 years |
| 2000 | 58.9 years |
| 2010 | 63 years |
| 2019 | 65.8 years |
| 2023 | 66.3 years |
Sudan compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Sudan ranks 12th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan | 904 | 65.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uganda | 849 | 62.7 | HIV/AIDS |
| Algeria | 540 | 76.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Kenya | 959 | 62.1 | HIV/AIDS |
| South Africa | 1,397 | 62.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Morocco | 548 | 74 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Sudan every day?
In Sudan, about 904 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 minutes. That adds up to about 330,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Sudan?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Sudan. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 14.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Sudan?
Life expectancy at birth in Sudan is 65.3 years, 7.5 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 146th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Sudan high?
Sudan records about 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.