Population of Somalia

Population - April 2025 19,138,158 #68 worldwide Bandera of Somalia
Annual Growth 579,574 #36 worldwide
Median Age 15.4 years #234 worldwide
Life Expectancy 58.4 years #232 worldwide
Density 30.7 p/km² #186 worldwide

As of April 2025, the population of Somalia is 19.1 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 580 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 3.07%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 14.9 years in 2015 to 15.4 years in 2025. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 58.4 years and population density is 30.7 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Somalia peaked in 1979, reaching around 13.52% annually, but has since declined to approximately 3.01% in 2025. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 730.34 thousand in 1979 to nearly 579.57 thousand in 2025.

Life Expectancy

In Somalia, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 50.7 years in 2005 to 58.4 years in 2025, representing an increase of almost 8 years over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Somalia

The cities of Somalia are mostly small, but 9 stand out with more than 100 thousand inhabitants. The most populous city is Mogadishu, Banaadir, con una diferencia significativa sobre las demás, alcanzando approximately 2.6 million inhabitants. It is followed by Borama, Awdal with 597.8 thousand and Hargeysa, Woqooyi Galbeed with 477.9 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Somalia:

# City Population
1 Mogadishu, Banaadir 2,587,183
2 Borama, Awdal 597,842
3 Hargeysa, Woqooyi Galbeed 477,876
4 Berbera, Woqooyi Galbeed 242,344
5 Kismayo, Lower Juba 234,852
6 Marka, Lower Shabeelle 230,100
7 Ruqi, Awdal 148,702
8 Baidoa, Bay 129,839
9 Cabudwaaq, Galguduud 120,000
10 Burao, Togdheer 99,270
# City Population
11 Gebiley, Woqooyi Galbeed 77,320
12 Bosaso, Bari 74,287
13 Beled Hawo, Gedo 73,000
14 Balanbale, Galguduud 68,000
15 Afgooye, Lower Shabeelle 65,461
16 Gaalkacyo, Mudug 61,200
17 Laascaanood, Sool 60,100
18 Garoowe, Nugaal 57,300
19 Beledweyne, Hiiraan 55,410
20 Qoryooley, Lower Shabeelle 51,720