Country Profile: Djibouti

Djibouti, located strategically at the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, boasts a diverse topography of coastal plains and plateaus, surrounded by Ethiopian mountains. The nation's population is predominantly made up of ethnic Somalis and Afar people, with Djibouti City being the largest urban center. Economically, the country serves as a vital hub for trade, particularly for Ethiopia, while also relying on international military bases for economic stability. Djibouti operates under a presidential republic, with a history of authoritarian leadership marked by civil unrest in its early years of independence.

Geography

Djibouti is situated in Eastern Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, lying between Eritrea and Somalia. It covers a total area of 23,200 square kilometers, with a diverse terrain consisting of coastal plains and central mountains. The country's climate is primarily desert, characterized by torrid and dry conditions.

23,200 sq km total area
528 km of land boundaries with Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia
314 km of coastline
-155 m (Lac Assal) is the lowest point in Africa
2,021 m (Moussa Ali) is the highest point
10 sq km of irrigated land as of 2012
Strategic location near major shipping lanes

People and Society

Djibouti's population is estimated at 1,013,703 in 2025, with a mix of ethnicities including 60% Somali and 35% Afar. The majority of the population practices Sunni Islam, and French and Arabic are the official languages. The country has a youthful demographic, with nearly 28.4% under the age of 15.

1,013,703 population (2025)
28.4% are aged 0-14 years
94% of the population practices Sunni Islam
21.46 births/1,000 population birth rate (2025)
65.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024)
78.6% urban population (2023)
3.94 net migration rate (2025)

Economy

Djibouti's economy is characterized as food import-dependent and largely driven by its military bases and port-based trade. The nation has shown resilience against disruptions like COVID-19, fostering robust trade relations, particularly with Ethiopia and China, while investing in infrastructure development.

$7.995 billion real GDP (PPP, 2024 est.)
6% real GDP growth rate (2024 est.)
$6,800 GDP per capita (PPP, 2024 est.)
25.9% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
21.1% of the population lives below the poverty line (2017)
2.6% of GDP is contributed by agriculture (2024 est.)
75.5% of GDP stems from the services sector (2024 est.)

Government

Djibouti operates as a presidential republic with a legal system based on a mix of French civil law and Islamic religious law. The current president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has been in power since 1999, with the most recent election held in April 2021. The country is divided into six districts and has a unicameral National Assembly.

6 administrative districts
65 members in the National Assembly
18 years is the voting age
President Ismail Omar Guelleh has been in power since 1999
97.4% of votes went to Guelleh in the 2021 election
Independence achieved on 27 June 1977
3.5% of GDP was spent on military (2019 est.)

Military and Security

Djibouti's military comprises the Djiboutian Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Police. The country is host to military bases from several nations, including the US and France, primarily for counterterrorism and maritime security operations. The government's focus remains on border and internal security due to ongoing threats from terrorist groups.

10,000 - 12,000 active military personnel (2025)
3.5% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2019)
Approximately 1,500 troops deployed in Somalia (2025)
Djibouti's military inventory includes older equipment from various international suppliers
Multiple countries maintain military bases for regional security
Voluntary military service is available for ages 18-26
The military focuses on counterterrorism efforts and securing borders

Energy

The electrification rate in Djibouti is approximately 65%, with urban areas notably higher at 72.8%. The energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, with a portion derived from renewable sources like wind and solar.

210,000 kW installed electricity generation capacity (2023)
584.997 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023)
65.3% of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023)
512 million kWh imported electricity (2023)
10.428 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023)
365 million cubic meters of renewable water resources total (2022)

Communications

Djibouti possesses a developing communication infrastructure, with a significant percentage of the population having access to mobile services and the internet. Fixed-line and broadband subscriptions remain limited compared to mobile use.

559,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)
65% of the population are internet users (2023)
28,700 fixed-line subscriptions (2023)
17,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
State-owned media operates TV and radio services
Internet country code: .dj
3 total fixed line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)

Transportation

Djibouti features a basic yet strategic transportation network, including significant maritime ports vital for trade. The country has a growing number of airports and a rail link to Ethiopia that supports economic activities.

10 airports (2025)
97 km railway segment connecting with Ethiopia
40 total merchant marine vessels (2023)
Home to 2 major ports (Djibouti and Doraleh)
6 heliports (2025)
Ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade
Civil aircraft registration code: J2

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,013,703	2025 estimate
Area	23,200 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$7.995 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	10.428 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	21.46 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	25.9%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	65.9 years	2024 estimate
Electrifcation Rate	65%	Total population (2022 estimate)
Military Expenditures	3.5% of GDP	2019 estimate
Urban Population	78.6%	2023 estimate