Introduction

With a rather high growth rate of population (estimated as about 2.2 per cent per annum during 1955–73), Sudan is still a sparsely-populated country (with a density per sq km of less than 6 in 1973). This low overall density masks the wide variations between the different parts of the country. For example, the Northern province has a density of less than 2 and there are vast tracts in the country uninhabited, while at the same time Khartoum province has 52 persons per sq km. Some councils have much higher densities. Thus one of the enigmas of Sudan is the existence of vast empty spaces and overcrowded towns, cities and even some rural areas. At the same time, the tendency of the past and indication of recent periods has not been to fill up the empty spaces but rather for population to move towards the already congested areas, thus depopulating the low density areas. This has created further imbalances in population distribution, aggravating the already-existing situation.

Climate, ecological factors and natural endowments have been some of the causes for population mobility, but development efforts prior to and especially since independence have accentuated the attractiveness or otherwise of areas. For example, construction of rail, road and water transportation, establishment of irrigation and agricultural projects, industries, commerce and trade and siting of educational, cultural and administrative centres all engendered movement of people from the less developed to the more developed and developing areas.