Safest cities in South Sudan
14 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in South SudanAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in South Sudan, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political and security situation
- The political and security situation remains unpredictable. Political tensions are high and the security situation across the country could deteriorate rapidly and unpredictably.
If you are in South Sudan
- FCDO continues to advise against all travel to South Sudan. If you choose to remain in South Sudan, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government. This includes the ability to leave the country or to shelter in place, if you judge that to be the safer choice. Make sure to keep all…
Crime
- Robbery and assaultThere is a high risk of serious crime such as robbery and assault in Juba and other urban areas, particularly at night and on public transport. There are drive-by robberies by individuals or groups on motorbikes.
- Criminal kidnapping and violence against aid workersIt is extremely difficult for businesses and non-governmental organisations to work in South Sudan. Although the number of aid workers killed in targeted attacks has fallen in recent years, South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous environments in the world for aid workers. There are incidents of criminal kidnapping, violence, intimidation and…
Road checkpoints
- Checkpoints operated by soldiers or other armed men are common in and around Juba, particularly after dark. Armed men at checkpoints have been known to demand money from drivers and abuse people, especially women. Roadblocks can create volatile and dangerous situations and are often put up after sunset, so it advisable not to travel after dark.
Armed conflict
- Armed conflict, including violence targeting civilians is common throughout South Sudan. Fighting often starts quickly and unpredictably. Follow instructions from local authorities.
Landmines and unexploded weapons
- There is a risk from landmines or unexploded cluster bombs in some areas of South Sudan.
Limited UK government support
- Consular support is severely limited in South Sudan. The British Embassy in Juba does not have a consular section. If you are in South Sudan and need urgent help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDPolice can ask to see photo ID. Always carry a colour copy of your passport with you.
- Illegal drugs penaltiesThere are severe penalties for using or trafficking drugs in South Sudan, including the death penalty and life imprisonment.
- Using camerasDo not take photographs close to government buildings, military installations, bridges, airports, public utilities (including petrol stations) and other sensitive areas. Plainclothes public security officers operate in Juba and across South Sudan.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex relationships are not culturally accepted. Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal and punishable by a prison sentence of up to 14 years. LGBT+ travellers are at risk of discrimination and violence.
- MoneyInternational credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, although some of the newer hotels and supermarkets are starting to.
Transport risks
- Road travelIt is extremely dangerous to drive in South Sudan due to armed robbery, violent attacks and poor driving standards.
- Public transportPublic transport, including small buses, vans and motorbike taxis (‘boda-bodas’), is extremely unsafe. Drivers are reckless, traffic accidents are common and vehicles are in poor condition. There is also a high risk of mugging. Avoid public transport.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingDuring the rainy season from April to November, most roads outside of Juba become impassable. There is a risk of being cut off by floods in areas outside the capital, particularly in Unity, Warrap, Jonglei and Upper Nile states. There is also a risk of flash flooding.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for South Sudan, updated 2026-08-25 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 13.98 /100k2012
- Income inequality
- Gini 44.02016
- Human development
- HDI 0.3882023
- Income
- $1,010/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 36.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 40/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 23/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 9/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 8.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.41GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 23.7 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.0 doctors /1khospital beds: no data
- Malaria
- 254 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 3.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 2.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in South Sudan (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How South Sudan compares
| Measure | South Sudan | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 14 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +12 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 44.0 | 35.2 | +8.8 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.388 | 0.763 | −0.375 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 36.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +21.3 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 23/100 | 52/100 | −29/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 9/100 | 39/100 | −30/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 23.7 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +4.0 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 8.3/10 | 3.8/10 | +4.5/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | South Sudan | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 14 /100k | 4.4 /100k | +9.6 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 44.0 | 38.3 | +5.8 — better for Africa median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.388 | 0.563 | −0.175 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 36.7 /100k | 27.9 /100k | +8.8 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Rule of law | 23/100 | 42/100 | −19/100 — better for Africa median |
| Corruption perceptions | 9/100 | 31/100 | −22/100 — better for Africa median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 23.7 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −4.0 µg/m³ — better for South Sudan |
| Natural-hazard risk | 8.3/10 | 5.2/10 | +3.1/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 14 cities, safest first
- Yambio47.0 · #5413 worldwide
- Juba45.9 · #5475 worldwide
- Yei44.5 · #5581 worldwide
- Nimule41.5 · #5732 worldwide
- Torit41.2 · #5761 worldwide
- Bor41.2 · #5762 worldwide
- Malakal40.0 · #5812 worldwide
- Wau39.3 · #5865 worldwide
- Renk37.3 · #5924 worldwide
- Imehejek35.6 · #5956 worldwide
- Riwoto35.5 · #5957 worldwide
- Kapoeta35.5 · #5958 worldwide
- Narus35.5 · #5959 worldwide
- Rumbek33.9 · #5988 worldwide