Parliamentary and presidential elections were sched-uled to be held in 2016. Although the parliamen-tarians were supposed to have been directly elect-

ed, in 2015 Pres. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announcedthat it would not be possible, in part because of the insta-bility caused by the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab,which continued in 2016. Instead, the members of the twohouses of parliament—the Upper House and the Houseof the People—were to be indirectly elected during polls,which, after some delay, took place in October–December.Members of both houses were expected to then elect thepresident, but that was delayed until 2017.

Vital statisticsBirth rate per 1,000 population (2015): 40.5 (world avg. 19.5).Death rate per 1,000 population (2015): 13.6 (world avg. 8.1).Life expectancy at birth (2015): male 49.9 years; female 54.1 years.

DemographyPopulation (2016): 12,961,000.Density (2016): persons per sq mi 52.6,persons per sq km 20.3.

Sex distribution (2015): male 50.32%;female 49.68%.

Population projection: (2020) 14,533,000;(2030) 19,295,000.

Major cities (2008): Mogadishu (2011)1,554,0006; Hargeysa (in Somaliland)436,232; Burao (in Somaliland)151,451; Belet Weyne 108,125;Boosaaso (in Puntland) 108,016.

Urban-rural (2012):

Somalia1

Official name: Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka eeSoomaaliya (Somali); Jumhuriyyat al-Sumal al-Fidiraliyyah (Arabic) (Federal Republic ofSomalia).

Form of government: federal republic2 with twolegislative houses (Upper House [543]; Houseof the People [275]).

Head of state: President Hassan SheikhMohamud.2

Head of government: Prime Minister OmarAbdirashid Ali Sharmarke.2

Capital: Mogadishu.Official languages: Somali; Arabic.Official religion: Islam.Monetary unit: Somali shilling (Shilin Soomaali;So.Sh.); valuation (Sept. 1, 2016) 1 U.S.$ =So.Sh. 589.00; 1 £ = So.Sh. 783.374, 5.

Ethnic composition (2000):

Age breakdown (2015):

Religious affiliation (2005):

Area and population area population

Historic Administrative 2014Regions Principal cities sq mi sq km estimate

Awdal7 Borama 8,253 21,374 673,263Bakool Xudur 10,410 26,962 367,226Banaadir Mogadishu (Muqdisho) 143 370 1,650,227Bari8 Boosaaso 27,061 70,088 719,512Bay Baidoa (Baydhaba) 13,574 35,156 792,182Galguduud Dhuusamarreeb 17,809 46,126 569,434Gedo9 Garbahaarey 23,316 60,389 508,405Hiiraan Belet Weyne 12,166 31,510 520,685Juba Dhexe9 Bu)aale 3,798 9,836 362,921Juba Hoose9 Kismayo 16,555 42,876 489,307Mudug10 Gaalkacyo 28,160 72,933 717,863Nugaal9 Garoowe 10,108 26,180 392,698Sanaag11 Ceerigaabo 20,608 53,374 544,123Shabelle Dhexe Jowhar 8,750 22,663 516,036Shabelle Hoose Marka 9,763 25,285 1,202,219Sool11 Laas Caanood

(Las Anod) 9,666 25,036 327,428Togdheer11 Burao (Burco) 14,928 38,663 721,363Woqooyi Galbeed7 Hargeysa 11,134 28,836 1,242,003TOTAL 246,20112 637,657 12,316,89513

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National economyBudget: n.a. UN assistance (2007): U.S.$175,000,000, of which food

aid U.S.$50,000,000.Public debt (external, outstanding; 2012): U.S.$1,985,-000,000.

Production (metric tons except as noted). Agriculture,forestry, fishing (2014): sugarcane 212,710, sorghum152,300, corn (maize) 95,000, sesame seeds 90,550, cas-sava 89,880, dry beans 24,900, bananas 24,07915, toma-toes 19,89115, dates 13,00015, coconuts 10,980; othertree/bush products include khat, frankincense, andmyrrh; livestock (number of live animals) 12,325,000sheep, 11,600,000 goats, 7,150,000 camels, 4,900,000 cat-tle; roundwood (2015) 14,148,437 cu m, of which fuel-wood 99%; fisheries production 30,000 (from aquacul-

ture, none). Mining and quarrying (2012): small quantities of gem-stones (including garnet and opal) and salt. Manufacturing: smallmanufacturers produce textiles, handicrafts, and processed meat.Energy production (consumption): electricity (kW-hr; 2012)333,000,000 (295,000,000), by source (2013): fossil fuels 100%; coal,none (none); crude petroleum, none (none); petroleum products(metric tons; 2011) none (188,000); natural gas, none (none).

Population economically active (2012): total 3,006,500; participationrates: age 15 and over, male, n.a.; female 33.9%; unemployed c. 54%, of which youth, n.a.

Gross national income (2011): U.S.$1,024,292,800 (U.S.$107 per capita).

Average household size (2001–02): 5.8.Land use as % of total land area (2011): in temporary crops or leftfallow 1.8%, in permanent crops 0.05%, in pasture 68.5%, forestarea 10.6%.

MilitaryTotal active duty personnel (November 2015):17,000 (army 100%)18, 19. Military expendi-ture as percentage of GDP: n.a.

Foreign trade17

Imports (2011): U.S.$880,000,000 (agricultural products66.7%, of which cereals and cereal products 34.2%,vegetables and vegetable products 23.1%, sugar [allforms] and honey 9.4%; unspecified 33.3%). Major import sources (2010):

Exports (2011): U.S.$520,000,000 (livestock 76.3%;wood charcoal 6.2%; unspecified 17.5%). Major export destinations (2010):

Transport and communicationsTransport. Railroads: none. Roads (2009):

total length 13,732 mi, 22,100 km(paved 12%). Vehicles (2002):passenger cars 12,700; trucks andbuses 10,400.

Education and healthLiteracy (2002): percentage of total populationage 15 and over literate 19.2%; males literate25.1%; females literate 13.1%.

Health: physicians (2006) 300 (1 per 28,333 per-sons); hospital beds, n.a.; infant mortality rate(2015) 98.4; undernourished population, n.a.

1Proclamation of the “Republic of Somaliland” in May 1991 on territory corresponding to the former British Somaliland (which unified with the for-mer Italian Trust Territory of Somalia to form Somalia in 1960) had not received international recognition as of November 2016. This entity repre-sented about a quarter of Somalia’s territory. 2The government did not control all of Somalia in November 2016. 3The Upper House may have a max-imum of 54 members; elections were held in October–November 2016. 4The value of the So.Sh. has fluctuated greatly since 1991, ranging as much as7,000 to 35,000 So.Sh. per 1 U.S.$. 5Somaliland’s sole legal tender from 1995 is the Somaliland shilling; in November 2016, 1 U.S.$ = 728.90 Somalilandshillings. 6Urban agglomeration. 7Part of “Republic of Somaliland” from 1991. 8Part of “autonomous region” of Puntland from 1998. 9Part of thenewly created (2011) semiautonomous region of Jubaland, with an estimated population of 1.8 million. 10Administered (in part) as part of Puntland.11Administration disputed (at least in part) between Puntland and Somaliland. 12Detail does not add to total given because of rounding. 13Estimateof United Nations Population Fund, including Somaliland. 14Midyear estimates. 152013. 16Taxes on products less subsidies and less imputed bank ser-vice charges. 17Imports c.i.f.; exports f.o.b. 18Somaliland and Puntland have their own militias. 19AU peacekeeping troops (November 2015) 21,550.20Subscribers.

Internet resource for further information:• UNDP in Somalia www.so.undp.org

Structure of gross domestic product and labour force2011 201314

in value % of total labour % of labourSo.Sh. ’000,000 value force force

Agriculture, livestock 18,001 52.9 2,605,000 64.1Mining and quarrying 202 0.6Public utilitiesManufacturing 743 2.2Construction 1,256 3.7Transp. and commun. 2,810 8.3Trade, restaurants 3,177 9.3 1,457,000 35.9Finance, real estatePub. admin., defense 3,724 10.9ServicesOther 4,13316 12.116

TOTAL 34,046 100.0 4,062,000 100.0

}

Communications units unitsnumber per 1,000 number per 1,000

Medium date in ’000s persons Medium date in ’000s persons

TelephonesCellular 2015 5,83620 52520

Landline 2015 51 4.6

Internet users 2009 106 12Broadband 2015 8220 7.420

} }}

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