How poor is Somalia?
Nearly seven out of 10 Somalis live in poverty, the sixth-highest rate in the region. Poverty averages at 69 percent among nomadic pastoralists, agro pastoralists and IDPs; by contrast poverty in urban areas is lower at 60 percent.
Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. It's facing a historic drought and a devastating food crisis. "The U.N. predicts that nearly 2 million Somalis could be going hungry or worse in the coming months."
Severe weather
Somalia's weather can be extreme. There are regular droughts and floods. Because of severe weather, many areas of Somalia suffer from food shortages. Thousands of people are left without a place to live, leading to more disease and higher security threats to foreigners.
Do not travel to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy.
Somalia's GDP per capita is one of the world's lowest, and it belongs to the least developed country group. In 2019, Somalia had the lowest HDI in the world, and in the same year, 69% of Somalia's population was living below the poverty line. As of 2020, Somalia is placed the second highest in the Fragile States Index.
South Sudan
The very poorest of the world's poorest countries, South Sudan has been wracked by violence since its creation in 2011.
Life expectancy is low as a result of high infant and maternal mortality rates, the spread of preventable diseases, poor sanitation, chronic malnutrition, and inadequate health services.
Most dangerous countries in Africa 2023
In 2023, South Africa ranked first in the crime index among African countries, with a score of 75.5 index points. Somalia was the second most dangerous country on the continent, obtaining 66.7 points. The index evaluates the overall crime levels in a specific country.
Following the aftermath of civil war and prolonged conflict, Somalia is now one of the most impoverished nations in the world. This is largely due to the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991, an event that divided the country. War waged, killing thousands of native Somalis.
Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in front of a Muslim during the daylight hours in the fasting month of Ramadan. It is rude to show, point or expose the soles of your feet to another person whilst sitting. Respect people's privacy and ask permission before taking anyone's photo, especially if they are a woman.
Is alcohol illegal in Somalia?
Alcohol in Somalia is prohibited by the country's strict Muslim culture, but historically was allowed in the country and continues to exist illicitly.
All travelers need a visa to enter Somalia, including Somaliland. You can get a single-entry visa on arrival at Mogadishu International Airport. The max. length of stay is usually one month, depending on your nationality.
Somalia is a very challenging destination, especially for solo woman travelers. Nighttime safety is of particular concern as the country's underdeveloped infrastructure and ongoing civil unrest contribute to high crime rates. Walking alone at night is thus recommended to be avoided entirely.
Somalia is the easternmost country in Africa, in what's known as the Horn of Africa. It has endured a long and brutal history, with a neverending war, random attacks, and famine. Somalia's also become infamous for its pirates, who seized ships in the Gulf of Aden during the 2000s.
Mogadishu enjoyed the height of its prosperity during the 14th and 15th centuries and was during the early modern period considered the wealthiest city on the East African coast, as well as the center of a thriving textile industry.
Somalis are not 'Arab' or 'Middle Eastern'. They follow similar Islamic practices and customs to other majority Muslim countries. However, they are not located in the Middle East and are ethnically Somali, not Arab. Be aware that the northern region of Somaliland is self-declared as an independent breakaway republic.
It is Nigeria, a country in West Africa, which stands out as the most powerful economy on the continent. With a GDP estimated at $477 billion in 2022, Nigeria is at the top of the ranking of the richest African countries, ahead of Egypt and South Africa.
Poorest person in the world – World poor man: There is a man called Jerome Kerviel, who is the poorest person in the world. Among the 689 million people living in extreme poverty on $1.90 or less a day, he is the poorest.
Mississippi is the poorest state in the US, with a poverty rate of 18.7%. Despite the state's rich history, cultural heritage, and abundance of natural resources, poverty remains a pervasive issue.
Mogadishu, 20 March 2023 -- A new report released today by the Federal Ministry of Health & Human Services, WHO and UNICEF suggests that an estimated 43 000 excess deaths may have occurred in 2022 in Somalia due to the deepening drought, a figure higher than that of the first year of the 2017--2018 drought crisis.
How long do Somalis live?
Chart and table of Somalia life expectancy from 1950 to 2023. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100. The current life expectancy for Somalia in 2023 is 58.34 years, a 0.48% increase from 2022. The life expectancy for Somalia in 2022 was 58.06 years, a 0.48% increase from 2021.
Overall, Somalis represent a small but growing percentage of the US population, with an estimated total of 116,520 individuals spread across 40 states as of 2021.
SOMALIA - AVOID ALL TRAVEL
The security situation in Somalia is extremely volatile and the threat of domestic terrorism is high, particularly in south-central Somalia and in the capital, Mogadishu.
There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Somalia, including in regions bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, the tri-border area, and in Somaliland. Both terrorists and criminal groups, including piracy groups, are involved in hostage-taking.
Access to education is a major challenge in Somalia, particularly for girls and young women. Only 25 percent of primary school-age girls attend formal schools. An additional 65 percent of young women ages 20 to 24 have not attended school at all or only have some primary education.
