Cost of living in the Sudan, prices and what it is like to live for an Expat, quality of life / hardship, and compare cost of living for Expatriates as at January 2021.

What is it like to live in the Sudan?

Climate: The climate is tropical in the south and arid desert in the north.

Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken and understood, including in business circles.

Religion: Islam and Christianity.

Economy: The economy of Sudan has been buffeted by civil war, political instability, adverse weather, weak world commodity prices, a drop in remittances from abroad, and counterproductive economic policies. The private sector's main areas of activity are agriculture and trading, with most private industrial investment predating 1980. Agriculture employs 80% of the work force. Juba is particularly expensive for Expatriates as most goods are imported.

Inflation: 212% for the Sudan as at September 2020.

Money: The currency of Sudan is the Sudanese Pound (SDG). Credit cards are not generally accepted.

Tax: In Sudan is based on the current personal income tax rates which are progressive up to 15%.

Population: 43.7 Million (2020 est.)

Expat Life: Sudan consists of many cultures. Expatriate dress code is relatively relaxed. Although a suit and tie are not always required, lightweight lounge suits are common. Women may need to wear a headscarf during meetings, particularly with central government. The safety risk for expatriates in Sudan is high, but extreme in the Darfur region. Risks include petty crime, violent crime, social unrest, sporadic clashes, communal tensions, and in the Darfur region the additional high risk of kidnapping.

Health Care: Health care facilities are basic comparable to those of Western Europe and North America, especially in rural areas. Serious or complex health care treatment may require evacuation which can be expensive. The official Coronavirus COVID-19 total reported cases for the Sudan as at 21 January 2021 is 26,279, with 1,603 deaths. The rate of deaths per 1 million population is 36. Current active cases is 8,988.

the Sudan covers all areas within the country other than Khartoum.

Cost Of Living

What is the cost of living in Sudan?

The cost of living for expatriates in Sudan as at January 2021 is very high in comparison to other places in the world, with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 119.07 (New York =100). We have collected prices for the same items, world wide, based on Expat spending norms, in or closest to the location, and converted them to $USD so that we can compare the cost of 13 different baskets in 780 global locations. For each basket, compared to New York, the equivalent cost in Sudan is as follows:

1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: Cost is very high for tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$1180.

2) Clothing: Cost is very high for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1280. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$14, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$50, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$48 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$74.

3) Communication: Cost is very high for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket costing USD$200 in New York costs USD$384. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$93, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$0.01 per minute.

4) Education: Cost is very high for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30,000 in New York costs USD$50100. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$32,585 for Primary School, and USD$36,261 for High School.

5) Furniture & Appliances: Cost is very high for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2,500 in New York costs USD$4275. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$1034, and USD$887 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.

6) Groceries: Cost is very high for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1570. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$9.67, 1 kg oranges USD$2.52, 1 head lettuce USD$0.57, 1 kg potatos USD$1.86, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$8.67, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$6.99, 1 dozen large eggs USD$1.33, 500g loaf white bread USD$1.61, 1 L full cream milk USD$1.05, and 1.5 L water USD$0.61.

7) Healthcare: Cost is very high for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1130. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$91, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$2,804.

8) Household Accommodation: Cost is low for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5,000 in New York costs USD$1550. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$1,191 in a central location, and USD$754 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

9) Miscellaneous: Cost is very high for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$815. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$15.93, while an international newspaper is USD$4.90.

10) Personal Care: Cost is very high for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$895. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$72, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$358.

11) Recreation & Culture: Cost is very high for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$1595. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$2.42, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$17 per month.

12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Cost is average for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$510. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$2.02, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$0.49, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$6.05, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$16.08.

13) Transport: Cost is very high for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1190. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$1.48, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$30,690.

How does the cost of living in Sudan compare?

Sudan is 90.7% more expensive than USA for groceries, -52.2% cheaper for household costs than UK, and 129.7% more expensive for transport costs than India.

What is the quality of life / hardship in Sudan?

Sudan is ranked as an extreme hardship location.The hardship premium for Sudan for an expat from Australia, is for example 30%, i.e. host location (the Sudan) premium of 40% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%.

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