Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Somalia - Statistics & Facts
Located in Eastern Africa, Somalia is a country that has been in an prolonged state of war since 1960. Vulnerable to extended periods of famine and epidemics, and lacking basic services such as sanitation or medical care, the population continues to increase, largely driven by the consequential high fertility rate, which amounts to almost 6 children per woman. Somalia is thus one of the most fertile countries around the world. Additionally, Somalia’s population is quite young; roughly half of the inhabitants are 14 years and younger, and the median age of the population is only 16.5 years - unsurprisingly, life expectancy at birth is also devastastingly low at only about 55 years. A high scarcity of water and food, shortage of proper medical services, as well as a high terrorism risk result in Somalia having one of the highest mortality rates worldwide - and the second-highest mortality rate for infants.
