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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.so

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

4 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

89,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1 FM in Somaliland (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

100,000 est (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

35,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 note: two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: NA expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Somali shilling (SOS)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

SOS

Debt - external [time series]

$2.6 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$60 million (1999 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Somalia's economic fortunes are being driven by its deep political divisions. The northern area has declared its independence as "Somaliland"; the central area, Puntland, is a self-declared autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's recent ban on Somali livestock, because of Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $200 million and $500 million in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and militias provide security. The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have interfered with any broad-based economic development and international aid arrangements. In 2002 Somalia's overdue financial obligations to the IMF continued to grow. Statistics on Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed skeptically.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

227.9 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

245.1 million kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995) note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling

Exports [time series]

$79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal

Exports - partners [time series]

UAE 37.2%, Yemen 22.3%, Oman 10.1%, China 6%, Kuwait 4.4%, Nigeria 4% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $4.361 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2000 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $500 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.1% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$344 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat

Imports - partners [time series]

Djibouti 33.9%, Kenya 15.5%, Brazil 6.6%, UAE 5.1%, Thailand 4.2% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communication

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

note - businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be sensibly determined (2003 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Unemployment rate [time series]

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 637,657 sq km land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate [time series]

principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons

Coastline [time series]

3,025 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geographic coordinates [time series]

10 00 N, 49 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

Irrigated land [time series]

2,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.29% (2001)

Location [time series]

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season

Natural resources [time series]

uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

Capital [time series]

Mogadishu

Constitution [time series]

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the Transitional National Government formed in August 2000 had a three-year mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections, this goal was not achieved but the process is ongoing

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at Mombasa Road; mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2) 537800; FAX [254] (2) 537810

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the TNG and other factions have representatives in Washington and at the United Nations

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a 275-member parliament was established in October 2004 replacing the Transitional National Government created in 2000 head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 3 November 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntland region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal Government

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN

Government - note [time series]

although an interim government was created in 2000 other governing bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of the country, including Somaliland, Puntland, and traditional clan and faction strongholds

Government type [time series]

no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary national government

Independence [time series]

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch [time series]

following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to either Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration

Legal system [time series]

no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some localities

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional Federal Government replaced the Transitional National Government created in 2000; the new parliament consists of 61 seats assigned to each of four large clan groups (Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye) with the remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans

National holiday [time series]

Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, expired in August 2003. New Somali President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed has formed a new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) consisting of a 275-member parliament. It was established in October 2004 to replace the TNG but has not yet moved to Mogadishu. Discussions regarding the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu are ongoing in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of the capital city as well as for other southern regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further complicates the picture.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

A Somali National Army was attempted under the interim government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own security and police forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$18.9 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,010,152 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,109,405 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) (2001)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 1,860,451; female 1,849,484) 15-64 years: 52.7% (male 2,197,572; female 2,176,762) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 94,905; female 125,427) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

46.04 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

17.3 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

43,000 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 118.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 127.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 108.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 47.71 years male: 46.02 years female: 49.46 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 49.7% female: 25.8% (2001 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.6 years male: 17.5 years female: 17.6 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali

Net migration rate [time series]

5.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

8,304,601 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.41% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.91 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

"Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to land-locked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional states; "Puntland" secessionists clash with "Somaliland" secessionists to establish territorial limits and clan loyalties, each seeking support from neighboring states; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Transitional National Government in Mogadishu

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 375,000 (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources) (2004)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

60 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 54 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

none

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu