Extreme Poverty in Sudan: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

The numbers behind the curve of extreme poverty in Sudan represent the daily reality of millions. When we look at the data, we are not merely observing fluctuations in a global index but measuring the threshold of survival for families across three centuries. Behind the percentage points lie the lived experiences of individuals navigating the most basic constraints of existence. By defining poverty at the international extreme level of $2.15/day, 2017 PPP, we gain a clear view of the material progress made and the work that remains for the future.

The historical arc of Sudan reveals a long period of consistency followed by a slow, measured descent. Throughout the 1800s, extreme poverty remained at 80 %. The dawn of the twentieth century saw 80 % of the population living below this line, followed by a gradual decline through the decades that followed. By the 1960s, the rate reached 68.33 %, falling further to 55 % by the 1980s. In the 2020s, extreme poverty in Sudan stands at 35 %, currently ranking #151 of 157 countries as the trajectory continues downward.

If you were born in a previous century, your likelihood of living beneath the extreme poverty line was significantly higher than for a child born today. The statistical projections suggest this downward trend will persist, with the 2030s projection at 26.25 % and the 2090s projection at 4.67 %. By the 2100s, the projection reaches 3.5 %. These figures serve as a map of the changing conditions of human life. Visit our interactive tool to discover where you rank among everyone ever born.