Country Profile: Somalia

Somalia, located in Eastern Africa along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, is characterized by its arid climate and largely flat terrain. With a population of over 20 million, it has faced significant challenges due to decades of conflict and instability, which have severely impacted its economy and governance structures. The nation's economy relies heavily on agriculture, remittances, and a burgeoning service sector, with ongoing efforts to rebuild its political framework since the establishment of the Somali Federal Government in 2012.

Geography

Somalia covers an area of 637,657 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Texas. The country has a long coastline of 3,025 km along the Indian Ocean, providing significant maritime resources. The terrain is primarily a flat to undulating plateau, and its climate is mostly desert, experiencing monsoonal weather patterns throughout the year.

2,385 km of total land boundaries with Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti.
200 nm territorial sea claims, not recognized by the US.
Home to Mount Shimbiris, the country's highest point at 2,460 m.

People and Society

Somalia's estimated population in 2025 is 20,324,160, predominantly Somali with small Arab and Bantu communities. The official languages are Somali and Arabic, with a literacy rate of 54.1%. The society is predominantly Muslim, with nearly 99.9% of the population adhering to Islam.

41.4% of the population is aged between 0-14 years.
The median age is 15.7 years, reflecting a young demographic.
Urbanization rate of 47.9% as of 2023.

Economy

Somalia's economy is classified as low-income, having been severely affected by instability over the last 30 years. Agriculture plays a vital role, supported by significant remittances from abroad, and there are emerging digital economy initiatives. The GDP in purchasing power parity is estimated at $26.77 billion for 2024.

4% projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
Unemployment rate standing at 18.9% (2024).
54.4% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2022).

Government

Somalia operates as a federal parliamentary republic, with a complex political history shaped by clan-based systems and ongoing conflicts. The current president is Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, elected in May 2022.

18 regions are administratively defined, with localized governance strategies.
The constitution was adopted on 1 August 2012.
Voting is universal for individuals aged 18 and over.

Military and Security

The Somali Armed Forces are primarily focused on countering the al-Shabaab terrorist group, which maintains a strong foothold in various regions. The military expenditure is approximately 6% of GDP.

Estimated 20,000 active personnel in the Somali Armed Forces (2025).
Military service age for voluntary enlistment is between 18-22 years.
Supported by international forces, including the AU mission.

Energy

Access to electricity remains limited, with only 48.9% of the population electrified as of 2022. The energy landscape relies heavily on fossil fuels, with 82.5% of installed capacity from this source.

Installed generating capacity is 156,000 kW (2023).
Total energy consumption per capita is 649,000 Btu (2023).

Environment

Somalia faces numerous environmental challenges, including water scarcity and deforestation. The country is part of several international environmental agreements aimed at combating climate change and promoting biodiversity.

70.3% of land is classified as agricultural (2023).
Urban population constitutes 47.9% of the total (2023).
Major environmental issues include land degradation and overgrazing.

Transportation

The transportation network includes various airports and ports that facilitate trade and connectivity.

40 airports are operational as of 2025.
Total of 6 ports, including significant ones like Mogadishu and Berbera.

Communications

Somalia is gradually improving its communication infrastructure, with an increasing number of mobile subscriptions.

Approximately 9.91 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
Internet usage is around 28% of the population (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	20,324,160 (2025 est.)	Total population
Area	637,657 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$26.77 billion (2024 est.)	Economic estimate
Electricity access	48.9% (2022 est.)	Electrification rate
Unemployment rate	18.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force unemployed
Birth rate	46.36 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Birth rate estimate
Life expectancy at birth	56.5 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Urban population	47.9% of total (2023)	Urbanization rate
Infant mortality rate	81.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)	Infant mortality estimate
Literacy rate	54.1% (2022 est.)	Total literacy rate