Juba is the most expensive city for expatriates this year, according to the annual ranking by global consulting firm ECA International. It moved up to the first place after sitting at number nine on 2014 list.

This ranking was calculated by looking at inflation and exchange rates, and comparing the prices of a number of items and services like-for-like, to see exactly how expensive it would be to maintain the same standard of living in South Sudan.

The ranking is meant to help companies estimate the costs of employees living abroad of international assignment.

There has also been an upsurge of foreign aid groups, international diplomats establishing embassies, and oil companies recruiting international workers, driving the prices of imported goods up.