Government of Somalia
307 officials listed, each linked to its source.
Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, has its capital at Mogadishu and a population of 19,654,739 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as a federal parliamentary republic. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (in office since 23 May 2022) is head of state; Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre is head of government. The legislature is the Federal Parliament, a bicameral body with 275 seats in the House of the People (Golaha Shacabka) and 54 seats in the Upper House (Aqalka Sare). The source lists the next national election as expected in October 2026. Elections are run by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC). Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is listed as central bank governor. The directory below lists 2 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.

Federal Parliament
Bicameral. Source: CIA World Factbook
| Chamber | Seats | Last election |
|---|---|---|
| House of the People (Golaha Shacabka) | 275 (all indirectly elected) | 11/1/2021 to 5/5/2022 |
| Upper House (Aqalka Sare) | 54 (all indirectly elected) | 7/27/2021 to 11/13/2021 |
Somalia House of the People: list of MPs
Seats by party
Members are chosen by indirect selection (by clan for the House of the People, by federal member state for the Senate) and no party seat count is published. Checked on 15 October 2026.
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Holder | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the Senate | Abdi Hashi Abdullahi | - |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Abdisalam Abdi Ali | - |
Sources: Wikipedia: Federal Parliament of Somalia (retrieved 23 Oct 2026); Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia (retrieved 25 Oct 2026).
Other cabinet members
| Portfolio | Holder | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Hamza Abdi Barre | 14 Jun 2022 |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Salah Ahmed Jama | 2 Aug 2022 |
| Second Deputy Prime Minister | Jibril Abdirashid Haji | - |
| Minister of Defence | Ahmed Moalim Fiqi | 27 Apr 2025 |
| Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation | Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh | 7 Apr 2024 |
| Minister of Finance | Bihi Iman Egeh | 9 Jul 2023 |
| Minister of Internal Security | Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag | 4 Apr 2024 |
| Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs | Hassan Moalim Mohamud Sheikh Ali | - |
| Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education | Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir Mohamed | - |
| Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development | Mohamoud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah | - |
| Minister of Health and Human Services | Ali Haji Adan | - |
| Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism | Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud | - |
| Minister of Communications and Technology | Mohamed Adam Moalim Ali | 17 Apr 2024 |
| Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation | Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye | 29 Jan 2024 |
| Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range | Hassan Hussein Mohamed | - |
| Minister of Energy and Water Resources | Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame | 29 Jan 2024 |
| Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources | Dahir Shire Mohamed | - |
| Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs | Mukhtar Robow Ali | - |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Mohamed Abdikadir Ali | - |
| Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development | Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi | 5 Jan 2025 |
| Minister of Environment and Climate Change | Bashir Mohamed Jama | - |
| Minister of Labour and Social Affairs | Salim Aliyow Ibrow | 27 Oct 2025 |
| Minister of Ports and Marine Transport | Abdulkadir Omar Moallim | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation | Mohamed Farah Nuh | - |
| Minister of Commerce and Industry | Mahmoud Ahmed Aden Geesood | 20 Mar 2025 |
| Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction | Elmi Mohamud Nur | - |
| Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy | Ahmed Hassan Adan | - |
Sources: Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Somalia (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); Somali National News Agency (state news agency, not a government page) (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); Dawan Africa, with FTL Somalia (retrieved 21 Oct 2026).
List as of 21 Oct 2026.
Parliament, courts and independent offices
| Office | Holder | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Central bank governor | Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi | - |
| Speaker of the House of the People | Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur | 10 Aug 2026 |
Sources: CIA World Factbook, World Leaders list dated 7 Aug 2025; Wikipedia: Federal Parliament of Somalia (retrieved 23 Oct 2026).
Somalia election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028
Next national election: Due by 2026, presidential election.
| Date | Election | Status | Turnout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Due by 2026 | Presidential election | Due | - | - |
Sources: National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).
Economy at a glance
Full economy page- GDP
- US$13bn
- 2025
- GDP growth
- 3.0%
- 2025
- Foreign direct investment
- US$834m
- 2025
Need data we do not publish?
Tell us the question and the country. We design and field the study, and publish the method with the result.
Commission a study in SomaliaMore data for Somalia
- Election calendar and results
- Economy of Somalia
- Development jobs in Somalia
- Constitution of Somalia
- Statistics office and surveys in Somalia
- Exams and universities in Somalia
- Research permits and data protection in Somalia
- Paid polls in Somalia: join the waiting list
- Inflation and unemployment in Somalia
- Debt of Somalia: debt to GDP and largest creditors
- Somalia and the rest of East Africa
Population of Somalia
Somalia had 17 million people in 2025, 26th largest of 53 in Africa. The IMF projects 19.5 million by 2030. African countries by population.
Population (2025)
17.0
26th largest of 53 in Africa
Population growth since 2015 (2025)
31.8 %
14th fastest-growing of 52 in Africa
Projected population 2030 (2030)
19.5
24th highest of 52 in Africa
People per sq km (2025)
27
40th most crowded of 53 in Africa
Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Somalia |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 12.9 |
| 2016 | 13.2 |
| 2017 | 13.6 |
| 2018 | 14.0 |
| 2019 | 14.4 |
| 2020 | 14.8 |
| 2021 | 15.2 |
| 2022 | 15.6 |
| 2023 | 16.1 |
| 2024 | 16.5 |
| 2025 | 17.0 |
| 2026 | 17.4 (partial) |
| 2027 | 17.9 (partial) |
| 2028 | 18.4 (partial) |
| 2029 | 18.9 (partial) |
| 2030 | 19.5 (partial) |
Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Inflation and unemployment in Somalia
No inflation figure is published for Somalia. The ILO estimates unemployment at 19% (2025) and 34.2% among people aged 15 to 24. Somalia's own survey put it at 11.1% in 2022; the two differ because the ILO models every country on one method while national surveys define work and job search in their own way. Inflation in Africa · Unemployment in Africa · Somalia's economy.
Unemployment (2025)
19.0 %
46th lowest of 53 in Africa
Youth unemployment (2025)
34.2 %
44th lowest of 53 in Africa
Unemployment, national survey (2022)
11.1 %
National survey
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | ILO modelled estimate | National survey |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18.7 | Not published |
| 2011 | 18.8 | Not published |
| 2012 | 18.8 | Not published |
| 2013 | 18.7 | Not published |
| 2014 | 18.6 | Not published |
| 2015 | 18.5 | Not published |
| 2016 | 18.6 | Not published |
| 2017 | 18.5 | Not published |
| 2018 | 18.7 | Not published |
| 2019 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| 2020 | 19.4 | Not published |
| 2021 | 19.7 | Not published |
| 2022 | 19.1 | 11.1 |
| 2023 | 19.0 | Not published |
| 2024 | 19.0 | Not published |
| 2025 | 19.0 | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Life expectancy and infant mortality in Somalia
A child born in Somalia can expect to live 59 years (2024). 101 of every 1,000 children die before age five. Life expectancy in Africa, all countries ranked.
Life expectancy (2024)
59.0
49th longest of 54 in Africa
Child deaths under five (2024)
101
52nd lowest of 54 in Africa
Health spending per person (2023)
22
52nd highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Somalia | Middle African country |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 54.4 | 61.8 |
| 2015 | 55.1 | 62.3 |
| 2016 | 55.3 | 62.8 |
| 2017 | 52.2 | 63.1 |
| 2018 | 54.8 | 63.2 |
| 2019 | 57.2 | 63.3 |
| 2020 | 57.1 | 63.7 |
| 2021 | 55.7 | 62.5 |
| 2022 | 53.9 | 64.6 |
| 2023 | 58.8 | 65.6 |
| 2024 | 59.0 | 65.8 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Somalia |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 139 |
| 2015 | 134 |
| 2016 | 130 |
| 2017 | 156 |
| 2018 | 136 |
| 2019 | 118 |
| 2020 | 115 |
| 2021 | 111 |
| 2022 | 143 |
| 2023 | 104 |
| 2024 | 101 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Literacy rate in Somalia
54.1% of adults in Somalia can read and write (2022, World Bank). Literacy rate in Africa by country · Universities and exam bodies in Somalia.
Adult literacy (2022)
54.1 %
39th highest of 52 in Africa
Youth literacy (2022)
70.7 %
42nd highest of 53 in Africa
Education spending, % of GDP (2023)
0.0 %
52nd highest of 52 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Human development and internet access in Somalia
Somalia's Human Development Index was 0.404 in 2023, 192nd of 193 countries in the world (low human development). Human Development Index in Africa · Tech and internet in Africa · Learn digital skills with SR Academy.
Human Development Index (2023)
0.40
53rd highest of 54 in Africa
Internet users (2024)
27.9 %
39th highest of 54 in Africa
Mobile subscriptions (2023)
54
48th highest of 54 in Africa
Access to electricity (2024)
54.4 %
35th highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Somalia | Middle African country |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Not published | 0.44 |
| 2001 | Not published | 0.45 |
| 2002 | Not published | 0.45 |
| 2003 | Not published | 0.46 |
| 2004 | Not published | 0.46 |
| 2005 | Not published | 0.47 |
| 2006 | Not published | 0.47 |
| 2007 | Not published | 0.48 |
| 2008 | Not published | 0.49 |
| 2009 | Not published | 0.50 |
| 2010 | Not published | 0.50 |
| 2011 | Not published | 0.51 |
| 2012 | Not published | 0.52 |
| 2013 | Not published | 0.52 |
| 2014 | Not published | 0.52 |
| 2015 | Not published | 0.53 |
| 2016 | Not published | 0.53 |
| 2017 | Not published | 0.54 |
| 2018 | Not published | 0.54 |
| 2019 | Not published | 0.55 |
| 2020 | Not published | 0.55 |
| 2021 | Not published | 0.56 |
| 2022 | 0.39 | 0.57 |
| 2023 | 0.40 | 0.57 |
Source: UNDP, Human Development Report, composite indices time series. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Is Somalia safe?
The US State Department rates Somalia at level 4 of 4: do not travel. Safest countries in Africa.
US travel advisory level (2026)
4
47th safest by advisory of 54 in Africa
Conflict deaths (2024)
2,284
3rd highest of 30 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Coups, democracy and stability in Somalia
Somalia has had 2 successful coups, the latest on 26 January 1991, and 4 failed attempts or plots. Coups in Africa: every country.
- 26 January 1991: Coup (succeeded)
- 9 April 1978: Failed coup attempt
- 25 May 1971: Coup plot
- 27 April 1970: Coup plot
- 21 October 1969: Coup (succeeded)
- 10 December 1961: Failed coup attempt
Voice and accountability (2025)
29
49th highest of 54 in Africa
Political stability (2025)
28
53rd highest of 54 in Africa
Control of corruption (2025)
14
53rd highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, Worldwide Governance Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Somalia's debt
The largest foreign creditor is Kuwait, owed 18.6% of public debt abroad (2024). Somalia's debt and creditors in full · Debt in Africa.
Reading on Somalia
Where Somalia ranks in Africa
Its place among the 54 African countries on each of our Africa rankings. Each tile opens the full ranking with its source.
- GDP per person46th of 53$780, 2025Richest countries in Africa
- Size of the economy36th of 53$13.2 billion, 2025Largest economies in Africa
- Population26th of 5317 million, 2025African countries by population
- Area19th of 54637,657 sq kmLargest countries in Africa
- Life expectancy49th of 5459.0 years, 2024Life expectancy in Africa
- US travel advisory53rd of 54Level 4, do not travelSafest countries in Africa
- President's time in office32nd longest of 51Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, 4 yearsLongest serving presidents
- President's age20th oldest of 5170 years oldOldest presidents in Africa
Cite this
PollsAfrica (2026). Government of Somalia. Retrieved 26 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/somalia
