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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 private TV stations rebroadcast Al-Jazeera and CNN; Somaliland has 1 government-operated TV station and Puntland has 1 private TV station; Radio Mogadishu operated by the transitional government; 1 SW and roughly 10 private FM radio stations broadcast in Mogadishu; several radio stations operate in central and southern regions; Somaliland has 1 government-operated radio station; Puntland has roughly a half dozen private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.so

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 228

Internet users [time series]

106,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 159

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging 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 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

641,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

NA%

Debt - external [time series]

$3 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, 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 the machinery sold as scrap metal. Somalia's service sector also has grown. 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 transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Due to armed attacks on and threats to humanitarian aid workers, the World Food Programme partially suspended its operations in southern Somalia in early January 2010 pending improvement in the security situation. Somalia's arrears to the IMF have continued to grow.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

280 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Exchange rates [time series]

Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - NA (2007-08), 1,438.3 (2006) official rate; the unofficial black market rate was about 23,000 shillings per dollar as of February 2007 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]

$300 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 173

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

UAE 58.27%, Yemen 20.32%, Saudi Arabia 3.78% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.372 billion (2010 est.)

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

$5.896 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $5.75 billion (2009 est.) $5.607 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2005 est.)

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

$600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 225 $600 (2009 est.) $600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 2.6% (2009 est.) 2.6% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$798 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 178

Imports - commodities [time series]

manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat

Imports - partners [time series]

Djibouti 30.84%, Kenya 8.06%, India 7.86%, China 6.97%, Brazil 6.59%, Yemen 4.97%, Oman 4.72%, UAE 4.6% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

NA% note: businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined

Labor force [time series]

3.447 million (few skilled laborers) (2007) country comparison to the world: 97

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 71% industry and services: 29% (1975)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Oil - consumption [time series]

5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - exports [time series]

1,475 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Oil - imports [time series]

6,387 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Oil - production [time series]

108 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 637,657 sq km country comparison to the world: 43 land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate [time series]

principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), 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: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 3.29 cu km/yr (0%/0%/100%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000)

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 (2003)

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: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.32% (2005)

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

15.7 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Mogadishu geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 22 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia local long form: Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed local short form: Soomaaliya 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 United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the Transitional Federal Government is represented in the United States through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004; in 2009, the TFI's were given a two-year extension to October 2011 head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed FARMAJO (since 1 November 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) election results: Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean; the five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the Northern Frontier District (Kenya)

Government - note [time series]

although an interim government was created in 2004, other regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia

Government type [time series]

no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government

Independence [time series]

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that 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, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch [time series]

following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences

Legal system [time series]

no national system; a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly note: unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) (550 seats; 475 members appointed according to the 4.5 clan formula, with the remaining 75 seats reserved for civil society and business persons)

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Soomaaliyeey toosoo" (Somalia Wake Up) lyrics/music: Ali Mire AWALE and Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan Cilmi QABILLE note: adopted 2000; written in 1947, the lyrics speak of creating unity and an end to fighting

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]

other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule characterized by the persecution, jailing and torture of political opponents and dissidents. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 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 and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward 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. In 2000, the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC) held in Djibouti resulted in the formation of an interim government, known as the Transitional National Government (TNG). When the TNG failed to establish adequate security or governing institutions, the Government of Kenya, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), led a subsequent peace process that concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of a second interim government, known as the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic. The TFG included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU), withdrew from the country. The TFP was increased to 550 seats with the addition of 200 ARS and 75 civil society members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former CIC and ARS chairman as president on 31 January 2009, in Djibouti. Subsequently, President SHARIF appointed Omar Abdirashid ali SHARMARKE, son of a former president of Somalia, as prime minister on 13 February 2009. SHARMARKE resigned in September 2010 and was replaced by Mohamed Abdullahi MOHAMED, aka Farmajo, a dual US-Somali citizen that lived in the United Stated from 1985 until his return to Somalia in October 2010. The creation of the TFG was based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlines a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. However, in January 2009 the TFP amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,261,704 females age 16-49: 2,217,584 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,328,567 females age 16-49: 1,386,971 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 99,919 female: 99,771 (2010 est.)

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

National Security Force (NSF): Somali Army (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Military service age and obligation [time series]

note: since 2005, the UN has listed the Transitional Federal Government and its allied militias as persistent violators in recruiting child soldiers (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45% (male 2,215,331/female 2,204,503) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 2,588,356/female 2,579,737) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 101,764/female 142,326) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

43.33 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Death rate [time series]

15.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

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

24,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 107.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 5 male: 116.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 98.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 50 years country comparison to the world: 213 male: 48.12 years female: 51.94 years (2010 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.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.6 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.7 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Population [time series]

10,112,453 country comparison to the world: 82 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 2010 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.809% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.44 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 1.1 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources) (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

59 (2010) country comparison to the world: 80

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 7 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 154 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Berbera, Kismaayo

Roadways [time series]

total: 22,100 km country comparison to the world: 106 paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (2000)

Transportation - note [time series]

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman