Cropland area in South Sudan
South Sudan: Cropland area was 2.57 million hectares in 2023. ▼ Falling
Cropland area in South Sudan, 2012–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for cropland area in South Sudan is 2.57 million hectares, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 3.8% on the previous year and down 4.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cropland area in South Sudan peaked at 2.72 million hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 2.48 million hectares, in 2018.
That places South Sudan 79th out of 224 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 12 years of available data.
Cropland area in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2.72 million hectares | — |
| 2013 | 2.69 million hectares | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 2.65 million hectares | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 2.62 million hectares | -1.3% |
| 2016 | 2.58 million hectares | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 2.55 million hectares | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 2.48 million hectares | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 2.48 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 2.48 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 2.48 million hectares | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 2.48 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 2.57 million hectares | +3.8% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 2.57 million hectares is below the median for low income countries, which is 3.60 million hectares, 72% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 2.57 million hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.21 million hectares, 80% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 2.60 million hectares | 2.48 million hectares | 2.72 million hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 2.50 million hectares | 2.48 million hectares | 2.57 million hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More agriculture & rural data for South Sudan
- Rural population, per capita 0.7832 units per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 17.13 % change on previous year (2015)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.1036 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 111.85 current US$ per person (2015)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0008 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 1.66 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population 9.55 million (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 10.4% (2015)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 1.24 billion current US$ (2015)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 10.4% (2015)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cropland area in South Sudan?
- Cropland area in South Sudan was 2.57 million hectares in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cropland area recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 2.72 million hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest cropland area recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.48 million hectares in 2018.
- How does South Sudan rank for cropland area?
- South Sudan ranks 79th out of 224 countries with data for 2023.
- Is cropland area rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cropland area. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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