🇸🇴 Somalia
Somalia (Africa) has a population of 19,654,739 (2025), ranking 66 out of 213 countries by population. GDP per capita – Somalia: $661 /inh. (2025), ranking 205 out of 211. Economic growth is 3 % (2025). The unemployment rate is 18.9 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Somalia, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Women's legal equality: pay and occupations (1/186), HIV prevalence (1/152), External debt (8/121).
Weaknesses – Somalia, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Control of corruption (WGI) (205/205), Corruption Perceptions Index (179/179), Births attended by skilled health personnel (204/204).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Somalia has $661 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
- Unemployment: Somalia has 18.9 %, above the regional median (Africa: 6 %).
- GDP growth: Somalia has 3 %, below the regional median (Africa: 4.6 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇾🇪Yemen216 indicators compared48/100
- 2🇲🇷Mauritania220 indicators compared42/100
- 3🇬🇳Guinea221 indicators compared41/100
- 4🇰🇲Comoros218 indicators compared40/100
- 5🇦🇫Afghanistan224 indicators compared36/100
- 6🇲🇬Madagascar222 indicators compared36/100
- 7🇸🇩Sudan221 indicators compared36/100
- 8🇩🇯Djibouti215 indicators compared33/100
- 9🇲🇱Mali222 indicators compared32/100
- 10🇳🇪Niger221 indicators compared31/100
- 11🇬🇲Gambia223 indicators compared30/100
- 12🇹🇩Chad216 indicators compared30/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural resource rents | 11.2 % | 2021 | 45 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 3 % | 2025 | 115 of 211 |
| GDP | $13B | 2025 | 149 of 211 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $32.3B | 2025 | 150 of 201 |
| Net national income per capita | $356 /inh. | 2021 | 180 of 184 |
| GDP per capita growth | -0.4 % | 2025 | 185 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $1,643 /inh. | 2025 | 199 of 201 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $640 /inh. | 2025 | 199 of 205 |
| GDP per capita | $661 /inh. | 2025 | 205 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 5
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official exchange rate | 23,098 LCU/$ | 2017 | 4 of 211 |
| Lending interest rate | 33.7 % | 1988 | 6 of 146 |
| Real interest rate | -18.5 % | 1988 | 144 of 146 |
| Broad money supply (M3) | 26.1 % | 1989 | 149 of 164 |
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 12.9 % | 2025 | 187 of 210 |
Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 52.2 % | 2025 | 56 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 30 % | 2025 | 59 of 184 |
| Employment in industry | 17.8 % | 2025 | 111 of 184 |
| Employment in services | 52.2 % | 2025 | 116 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 34.2 % | 2025 | 171 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 18.9 % | 2025 | 177 of 184 |
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 33.8 % | 2025 | 181 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 27.4 % | 2025 | 181 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imports of goods and services | 98.8 % | 2025 | 11 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 128.1 % | 2025 | 40 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 29.2 % | 2025 | 123 of 192 |
| Merchandise exports | $1.3B | 2025 | 152 of 205 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official development aid received | 20.4 % | 2023 | 9 of 160 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 6.4 % | 2025 | 32 of 201 |
| Migrant remittances received | 3 % | 1983 | 86 of 196 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $834M | 2025 | 105 of 203 |
Public finances 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central government debt | 12.7 % | 2024 | 8 of 109 |
| Budget balance | 0.2 % | 2024 | 38 of 158 |
| Military spending | 1.5 % | 2025 | 95 of 165 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 4 % | 2024 | 153 of 159 |
| Central government spending | 6.3 % | 2023 | 157 of 160 |
| Tax revenue | 2.2 % | 2024 | 158 of 161 |
| Government final consumption | 8.1 % | 2025 | 173 of 187 |
Finance & Reserves 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| External debt | 14.9 % | 2024 | 8 of 121 |
| Total reserves (including gold) | $23.1M | 1989 | 179 of 180 |
| Domestic credit to the private sector | 5.4 % | 2024 | 181 of 184 |
Economic structure 5
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 55.8 % | 1990 | 1 of 203 |
| Household final consumption | 133.3 % | 2025 | 1 of 189 |
| Gross capital formation | 28.1 % | 2025 | 50 of 185 |
| Manufacturing | 3.9 % | 1990 | 169 of 201 |
| Industry (including construction) | 9.7 % | 1986 | 190 of 205 |
Population & Vital Statistics 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 46.6 % | 2025 | 2 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 96.7 per 100 | 2025 | 3 of 213 |
| Population | 19,654,739 inhab. | 2025 | 66 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 100.4 per 100 women | 2025 | 72 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 50.1 % | 2025 | 72 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 104.4 per 100 girls | 2024 | 137 of 213 |
| Share of women in the population | 49.9 % | 2025 | 142 of 213 |
| Urban population | 55.1 % | 2025 | 142 of 213 |
| Births registered with civil authorities | 5.9 % | 2020 | 177 of 178 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 2.6 % | 2025 | 202 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 50.8 % | 2025 | 211 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 15.4 yrs | 2023 | 223 of 226 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children per woman | 6.01 children/woman | 2024 | 2 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 42.3 per 1,000 | 2024 | 3 of 213 |
| Population growth | 3.34 % | 2025 | 8 of 213 |
| Death rate | 9.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 43 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 27.4 per 100,000 | 2019 | 153 of 188 |
| Male suicide rate | 44.6 per 100,000 | 2023 | 177 of 183 |
| Suicide rate | 27.8 per 100,000 | 2023 | 180 of 183 |
| Healthy life expectancy | 48.6 yrs | 2023 | 181 of 183 |
| Female suicide rate | 13.3 per 100,000 | 2023 | 181 of 183 |
| Under-5 mortality | 101.1 per 1,000 | 2024 | 192 of 194 |
| Infant mortality | 65.4 per 1,000 | 2024 | 192 of 194 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 59 yrs | 2024 | 209 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 61.6 yrs | 2024 | 209 of 213 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 56.5 yrs | 2024 | 209 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV prevalence | 0.1 % | 2024 | 1 of 152 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 30.8 % | 2023 | 108 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 0.9 per 1,000 | 2019 | 156 of 190 |
| Health expenditure | 3.7 % | 2023 | 159 of 191 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 151 per 100,000 | 2024 | 163 of 206 |
| Undernourishment | 56.5 % | 2024 | 167 of 167 |
| Measles vaccination | 64 % | 2024 | 176 of 191 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 75.3 % | 2024 | 180 of 211 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 44.5 % | 2024 | 184 of 211 |
| Open defecation | 14.4 % | 2024 | 185 of 211 |
| Physicians | 0.05 per 1,000 | 2014 | 192 of 193 |
| Nurses and midwives | 0.26 per 1,000 | 2014 | 193 of 196 |
Body and lifestyle 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity among adult men | 6 % | 2024 | 25 of 196 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 5.8 % | 2024 | 42 of 207 |
| Adult obesity | 14.9 % | 2024 | 55 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult women | 23.3 % | 2024 | 86 of 196 |
| Average height of women | 156.1 cm | 2014 | 153 of 198 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 22.5 kg/m² | 2016 | 155 of 190 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 23.9 kg/m² | 2016 | 156 of 190 |
| Average height of men | 166.6 cm | 2014 | 158 of 198 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 0 L/person | 2024 | 197 of 202 |
Origins, languages and religions 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of the population: Muslims | 99.8 % | 2020 | 3 of 192 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.81 | 2003 | 13 of 205 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0 % | 2020 | 79 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Jews | 0 % | 2020 | 94 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 0 % | 2020 | 133 of 192 |
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 0.1 % | 2020 | 167 of 192 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.03 | 2003 | 175 of 203 |
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 0 % | 2020 | 179 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Christians | 0 % | 2020 | 191 of 192 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 0.4 % | 2024 | 194 of 212 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0 | 2003 | 203 of 204 |
| Majority religion | Muslims (over 50%) | 2020 | 50 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of coastline | 3,025 km | 2026 | 38 of 227 |
| Total area | 637,657 km² | 2024 | 41 of 212 |
| Land area | 627,340 km² | 2024 | 41 of 212 |
| Length of land borders | 2,385 km | 2026 | 79 of 230 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 3 countries | 2026 | 81 of 223 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 4.7 ° | 2026 | 167 of 232 |
| Population density | 30.3 inh./km² | 2024 | 168 of 212 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Average elevation | 410 m | 2026 | 93 of 166 |
| Highest point | 2,460 m | 2026 | 101 of 229 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 3.5 % | 2015 | 113 of 212 |
| Average annual rainfall | 282 mm | 2022 | 155 of 180 |
| Renewable fresh water per person | 337 m³/inh. | 2022 | 158 of 181 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural land | 70.3 % | 2024 | 22 of 207 |
| Forest cover | 7.8 % | 2024 | 172 of 210 |
| Arable land | 1.8 % | 2024 | 174 of 204 |
| Protected land areas | 0 % | 2025 | 207 of 210 |
Democracy & Elections 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
| Civil society participation index | 0.68 | 2025 | 94 of 173 |
| Core civil society index | 0.53 | 2025 | 114 of 173 |
| Liberal democracy index | 0.13 | 2025 | 125 of 173 |
| Participatory democracy index | 0.1 | 2025 | 146 of 173 |
| Electoral democracy index | 0.17 | 2025 | 149 of 173 |
| Free and fair elections index | 0 | 2025 | 156 of 173 |
| Egalitarian democracy index | 0.1 | 2025 | 158 of 173 |
| Share of adults with the right to vote | 0 % | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
| Head of the executive chosen through multiparty elections | Executive not from multiparty elections | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
| Political regime | Closed autocracy | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
Civil Liberties & Human Rights 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom of expression index | 0.62 | 2025 | 103 of 173 |
| Academic freedom index | 0.49 | 2025 | 106 of 173 |
| Political civil liberties index | 0.53 | 2025 | 115 of 173 |
| Protection from physical violence by the state (V-Dem) | 0.55 | 2025 | 117 of 174 |
| Freedom of association index | 0.45 | 2025 | 126 of 173 |
| Human rights index (V-Dem) | 0.45 | 2025 | 130 of 173 |
| Equality of civil liberties across social groups | -0.01 | 2025 | 131 of 173 |
| Index of individual liberties and equality before the law | 0.39 | 2025 | 132 of 173 |
| Private civil liberties index | 0.27 | 2025 | 157 of 173 |
Governance & Rule of Law 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judicial constraints on the executive index | 0.21 | 2025 | 135 of 173 |
| Rule of law index (V-Dem) | 0.17 | 2025 | 146 of 173 |
| Political corruption index | 0.87 | 2025 | 159 of 173 |
| Absence of corruption in the judiciary | -2.23 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | 9 pts | 2024 | 179 of 179 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | -1.59 | 2025 | 184 of 203 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -1.7 | 2025 | 198 of 203 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -1.91 | 2025 | 200 of 203 |
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | -2.17 | 2025 | 203 of 205 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | -2.17 | 2025 | 204 of 205 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | -1.69 | 2025 | 205 of 205 |
Women's rights 15
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of women in parliament | 19 % | 2025 | 132 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 4 % | 2025 | 180 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | 98 days or more of paid leave | 2025 | 121 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | 14 days or more of paid leave | 2025 | 60 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote not granted to all women | 2025 | 5 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Rights not equal | 2025 | 40 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Written into law | 2025 | 98 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Equal rights for men and women | 2025 | 165 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | Discrimination prohibited by law | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | No area covered | 2025 | 24 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | No law meeting these criteria | 2025 | 55 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 75 /100 | 2025 | 81 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 58.3 /100 | 2025 | 118 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 25 /100 | 2025 | 122 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 0 /100 | 2025 | 147 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 25 /100 | 2025 | 156 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 25 /100 | 2025 | 162 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 50 /100 | 2025 | 168 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 38.3 /100 | 2025 | 172 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 0 /100 | 2025 | 175 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 25 /100 | 2025 | 177 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | -1.5 pts | 2025 | 150 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | No legal provision | 2025 | 61 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | Marriage defined as the union of a man and a woman | 2025 | 98 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | No protection | 2025 | 107 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Criminalized | 2025 | 61 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | Neither party nor signatory | 2026 | 52 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Retained and applied | 2026 | 53 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 144 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmet need for contraception | 36.6 % | 2019 | 144 of 150 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 0.9 % | 2019 | 181 of 181 |
| Maternal mortality | 563 per 100,000 | 2023 | 188 of 192 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 115.4 per 1,000 | 2024 | 202 of 213 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 31.9 % | 2019 | 204 of 204 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed only to save the woman's life | 2026 | 35 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 1 /10 | 2018 | 59 of 186 |
| Trade union membership rate | 11.8 % | 2019 | 92 of 137 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 0 % | 2023 | 210 of 210 |
Family & Nationality 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 7 yrs | 2026 | 49 of 152 |
| Women married before age 18 | 45.3 % | 2006 | 137 of 144 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Right not identical | 2025 | 29 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Right not identical | 2025 | 44 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Polygamy recognized by law | 2026 | 45 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 8 yrs | 2025 | 154 of 194 |
| Compulsory military service | Provided for by law but suspended or not enforced | 2025 | 9 countries out of 134 in the same category |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Somalia?
Somalia has about 19,654,739 inhabitants (2025), ranking 66 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Somalia?
GDP per capita is $661 /inh. (2025): Somalia ranks 205 out of 211 countries.
What is the unemployment rate in Somalia?
The unemployment rate is 18.9 % (2025); Somalia ranks 177 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Somalia stand in its region (Africa)?
GDP per capita: Somalia has $661 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Somalia come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.