Country Profile: Djibouti

Djibouti is a strategically located nation at the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, significantly impacting its economic activities, particularly in port-based trade. The country's population is predominantly ethnic Somali (60%) and Afar (35%), with a total estimated population of nearly 1 million in 2024. Djibouti's economy is primarily driven by its military presence and port services, making it a major re-exporter and transit point for Ethiopia's trade. Governed as a presidential republic since gaining independence from France in 1977, Djibouti has experienced political stability alongside ongoing challenges related to ethnic tensions and economic inequality.

Geography

Djibouti is situated in Eastern Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea between Eritrea and Somalia. The country features a terrain of coastal plains, plateaus, and central mountains, with a climate characterized as desert and dry. Djibouti has a total area of approximately 23,200 sq km, and its highest point is Moussa Ali at 2,021 m, while Lac Assal, at -155 m, is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world.

Total coastline: 314 km
Land boundaries: 528 km (including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia)
Climate: Desert; torrid, dry
Natural resources: Potential geothermal power, gold, salt
Natural hazards: Earthquakes, droughts, occasional cyclonic disturbances

People and Society

As of 2024, Djibouti's population is approximately 994,974, predominantly comprising ethnic Somali and Afar groups. The country is linguistically diverse, with French and Arabic as official languages, and a significant majority (94%) practice Sunni Islam. Djibouti has a median age of 26.3 years, and urbanization is prevalent, with 78.6% of the population living in urban areas.

Population growth rate: 1.89% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy: 65.9 years (2024 est.)
Urban population: 78.6% of the total population (2023)
Birth rate: 21.8 births/1,000 (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.11 children per woman (2024 est.)

Economy

Djibouti's economy is centered around its strategic military bases and port trade, heavily reliant on food imports. It is classified as a resilient economy, with a 6% growth rate projected for 2024. The service sector dominates the economy, contributing around 75.5% to the GDP, while agriculture and industry account for 2.6% and 15.4%, respectively.

GDP (PPP): $7.995 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,800 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 25.9% (2024 est.)
Exports: $5.25 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $4.765 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Djibouti operates as a presidential republic, with a significant concentration of power in the presidency. The current president, Ismail Omar GUELLEH, has been in office since 1999 and was recently re-elected for a fifth term. The political landscape has faced challenges, including opposition boycotts of elections, with the most recent held in April 2021.

Independence: June 27, 1977
Parliament (National Assembly): 65 seats
Voting age: 18 years
Next presidential election: April 2026

Military and Security

Djibouti's military consists of the Djiboutian Armed Forces, which include the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The country plays a critical role in regional security, hosting military bases from various nations, including the US and France. The estimated number of active military personnel is between 10,000-12,000.

Military expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military service age: 18 years for voluntary service
Approximate military deployments: 1,500 personnel in Somalia

Energy

Energy access in Djibouti remains limited, with approximately 65% of the population having access to electricity. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, supplemented by solar and wind energy sources.

Installed generating capacity: 210,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 584.997 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 10.428 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Djibouti include inadequate potable water supplies, deforestation, and desertification. The country is party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Urban population: 78.6% (2023)
Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Environmental issues: Limited arable land and water pollution

Transportation

Djibouti has a well-developed port infrastructure, critical for regional trade, including two major ports. The country also features a railway segment connecting to Ethiopia and an emerging airport network.

Total airports: 10 (2025 est.)
Railways: 97 km (2017, Djibouti segment of Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway)
Merchant marine: 40 vessels (2023)

Communications

The communication sector in Djibouti is evolving, with a significant proportion of the population now having access to mobile and fixed-line telephony.

Internet users: 65% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile subscriptions: 574,000 (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines: 29,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	994,974 (2024 est.)
Area	23,200 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$7.995 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita	$6,800 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	25.9% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	21.8 births/1,000 (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	65.9 years (2024 est.)
Energy access	65% (2022 est.)
Urban population	78.6% (2023)
Military personnel	10,000-12,000	Active members estimated (2025)