Somalia: Country Report | 2024
AI Generated Analysis based on UNHCR Forced Displacement Statisitics.
Executive Summary
Of course. Here is the ‘Key Trends’ executive summary for the Somalia report.
Key Trends: Somalia’s Protracted Crisis in 2024
The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains one of the world’s most profound and protracted emergencies, defined by a staggering scale of internal displacement. Of the 3.9 million people of concern to UNHCR, a staggering 3.86 million—nearly 99 per cent—are internally displaced, trapped in a relentless cycle of conflict, insecurity, and severe climate shocks. This is a crisis of the young; with an exceptionally high youth dependency ratio, the future of an entire generation is at stake, demanding urgent investment in child protection, education, and healthcare.
The burden of this crisis extends far beyond Somalia’s borders, resting overwhelmingly on the shoulders of its neighbours. Low- and middle-income countries, particularly Ethiopia and Kenya, continue to provide refuge for the vast majority of Somali refugees, demonstrating immense solidarity under significant strain. Yet, for those seeking safety, protection remains a lottery. Recognition rates for Somali asylum-seekers in 2024 ranged from as high as 83 per cent in one host country to as low as 6 per cent in another, highlighting an inequitable global system where the chance of a safe future depends entirely on geography.
While we saw encouraging progress in resolving long-term displacement cases between 2020 and 2022, this momentum has faltered, revealing a critical solutions gap for the newly displaced. The data shows a stark disconnect: while hundreds of Somalis are being granted refugee status, the number of corresponding resettlement or integration pathways remains negligible, hovering near zero. We are succeeding in recognizing their need for protection but failing to provide a tangible future. This leaves a new wave of refugees in a state of protracted uncertainty, underscoring the urgent need for renewed international commitment to durable solutions and equitable responsibility-sharing.
Population Overview
Population Overview: The Protracted Crisis in Somalia
By the start of 2024, the number of people of concern to UNHCR in Somalia stood at 3.9 million, a figure that encapsulates one of the world’s most enduring and complex humanitarian crises. Behind this stark number lies a situation defined almost singularly by internal displacement. The data reveals that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) constitute the overwhelming majority, numbering 3.86 million, or nearly 99 per cent of the total. This reality, driven by decades of conflict, insecurity, and recurring climate shocks such as droughts and floods, underscores that internal displacement is the paramount humanitarian challenge in the country.
The demographic profile of this displaced population reveals its profound vulnerability. An expansive population pyramid, with a broad base, indicates an exceptionally young population with a high youth dependency ratio. The largest age cohorts are children under the age of five, signifying an urgent and sustained need for targeted interventions in child protection, education, and maternal healthcare to prevent a lost generation.
An analysis of trends over the past five years confirms the protracted nature of this crisis, with the number of IDPs remaining consistently high. While the total population of concern saw only a slight net increase of just over 5,000 people between 2023 and 2024, this apparent stability belies a highly volatile situation on the ground, where new displacements are continuously offset by some returns, trapping millions in a cycle of uncertainty.
While grappling with its own internal crisis, Somalia also provides asylum, primarily to 12,332 refugees from neighbouring Ethiopia, alongside several smaller refugee populations with distinct protection needs. Conversely, the prospects for durable solutions for Somalis abroad remain limited, evidenced by the negligible number of refugee returns to the country. This combination of massive, youth-dominated internal displacement, ongoing volatility, and severely constrained solutions continues to present a profound humanitarian challenge for the people of Somalia and the international community.
Demographics
AI Insight: Treemap chart of the populations of concern in Somalia, where Internally Displaced Persons constitute the vast majority, accounting for 3.86 million out of a total of 3.9 million individuals., This treemap visualizes the composition of the 3,904,000 individuals classified as populations of concern to UNHCR in Somalia as of 2024. The data is broken down into seven distinct population types.
The analysis reveals a situation dominated by a single crisis: internal displacement. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) represent the largest group by an overwhelming margin, with a population of 3,861,643, which is approximately 98.9% of the total. This is visually represented by one large rectangle that occupies nearly the entire area of the treemap.
The remaining six categories are significantly smaller in comparison, highlighting a massive skew in the data. The median size for a population group is only 213 people, and the 75th percentile is 20,882, indicating that most other groups are numerically small. At least two of the seven categories have a reported population of zero. The other groups, such as refugees, asylum-seekers, and returnees, collectively make up the remaining 1.1% (approximately 42,357 individuals). This extreme distribution underscores that while various protection needs exist, the scale of internal displacement is the paramount humanitarian challenge in Somalia, guiding the strategic focus and resource allocation of UNHCR’s operations in the country.
AI Insight: Population pyramid showing the age and gender distribution for 36.8 million persons of concern in Somalia, where a wide base and narrow top indicate a very young population., This population pyramid displays the age and gender structure of the 36,804,675 persons of concern (including refugees, asylum-seekers, and IDPs) in Somalia for 2024. The data boasts 100% gender disaggregation. The vertical axis categorizes the population into age groups, while the horizontal axis shows the percentage of the population for males (left) and females (right). The chart exhibits a classic expansive pyramid shape, with a broad base representing a large youth population and progressively narrowing bars for older age groups. This structure is indicative of high fertility rates and a low median age. The largest cohorts for both males and females are in the youngest age brackets (e.g., 0-4 years). Statistically, the proportion of females in the most populous age group reaches 15.7%, while for males it is 13.5%. This demographic profile signifies a high youth dependency ratio, underscoring the critical need for targeted humanitarian aid in areas such as child protection, education, and maternal healthcare.
Trends Over Time
AI Insight: Column chart of population types in Somalia by year from 2019 to 2024, where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) consistently represent the vast majority of the population of concern, peaking at nearly 3.9 million., This column chart provides an annual breakdown of populations of concern in Somalia from 2019 to 2024. The data is categorized into six distinct groups: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returned IDPs, Refugees and Asylum-Seekers, Returned Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Others of Concern.
The visualization highlights the severe and protracted humanitarian crisis in Somalia, primarily driven by conflict and climate shocks. The central insight is the overwhelming scale of internal displacement within the country.
Key Statistical Observations: - Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): This is, by a large margin, the most significant population group each year. The dataset shows a peak value for this category reaching 3,861,643 people, underscoring the immense scale of the internal displacement crisis. - Returned IDPs: This group also shows substantial numbers, with a maximum of 607,256 individuals returning in a given year and an average of approximately 292,296 across the period. This indicates that significant return movements occur, often in parallel with new displacements. - Other Population Groups: The remaining categories are numerically minor in comparison. For example, the number of Returned Refugees is extremely low, with a maximum of only 5 individuals recorded in the dataset for any given year. This points to the challenging conditions for safe and dignified refugee returns to Somalia. Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Others of Concern also constitute a small fraction of the total population of concern.
In summary, the chart effectively communicates that internal displacement is the defining characteristic of the forced displacement landscape in Somalia, affecting millions of people.
AI Insight: Column chart of population changes in Somalia from 2023 to 2024 by group, where the total population of concern increased slightly, driven by shifts within different displacement categories., This visualization provides a detailed breakdown of the numerical and percentage changes across six distinct population groups of concern in Somalia between the start of 2023 and the start of 2024. The total population of concern experienced a net increase of 5,040 individuals, rising from 3,898,578 to 3,903,618.
The data reveals that one population group, presumably Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), constitutes the vast majority of this figure, starting at 3,860,099 in 2023 and increasing by 1,544 (0.04%) to 3,861,643 in 2024. The changes among the other, much smaller population groups are more varied. The largest absolute change for any single group was 1,760 individuals, indicating specific events or trends affecting these smaller populations.
These demographic shifts are indicative of the complex and protracted humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The slight overall increase masks the internal dynamics, where ongoing conflict, insecurity, and severe climate shocks like droughts and floods continue to cause new displacements, while some populations may be returning or moving elsewhere. The data underscores the persistent volatility and the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance.
AI Insight: Horizontal bar chart of the number of refugees in Somalia by top 9 countries of origin for 2024, where refugees from Ethiopia constitute the overwhelming majority of the population., This horizontal bar chart presents the population figures for refugees in Somalia from the top nine countries of origin as of 2024. The data illustrates a highly skewed distribution, dominated by a single country.
Key Findings and Data Breakdown: - The largest group consists of 12,332 refugees from Ethiopia. - There is a significant drop to the second-largest group, which numbers approximately 1,591 individuals. - The remaining seven countries of origin contribute far smaller numbers. The median population size for the nine groups is only 56 people, with the smallest group comprising just 5 individuals.
Statistical Interpretation: The statistical profile confirms the extreme skewness of this dataset. The mean of 2,167 refugees per origin country is heavily influenced by the maximum value and is substantially larger than the median of 56. The large standard deviation (4,179) further underscores the vast disparity between the Ethiopian refugee population and the others.
Context and Implications: For UNHCR and its partners, this visualization highlights that the refugee response in Somalia is predominantly focused on the needs of the Ethiopian population. However, it also reveals the presence of smaller, diverse refugee groups. While numerically small, these populations may have distinct and acute protection needs that require targeted, specialized assistance to ensure they are not overlooked in broader programming.
Geography & Movements
Geography of Displacement: The Somali Context
The displacement crisis linked to Somalia remains one of the world’s most protracted and complex humanitarian situations, characterized by immense internal movement and significant cross-border flows, primarily within the Horn of Africa. The data reveals a multi-layered reality where Somalia is simultaneously a major source of displaced people and a host country for refugees.
The epicentre of this crisis lies within Somalia’s own borders. An analysis of displacement trends from 2019 to 2025 shows a staggering and rapid escalation in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). This surge, driven primarily by conflict, insecurity, and severe climate-related events like drought and floods, has resulted in a population of over 3.8 million IDPs. This figure dwarfs all other movements, underscoring that the vast majority of Somalis seeking safety are displaced within their own country. This constitutes the single largest group of displaced Somalis globally, highlighting the immense internal pressures and humanitarian needs.
Beyond its borders, the responsibility for hosting displaced Somalis is overwhelmingly shouldered by its immediate neighbours. The geographic distribution is predominantly regional, with the highest concentrations found in Ethiopia and Kenya, countries that have provided asylum for generations in long-standing refugee camps. Significant populations are also hosted in nearby countries such as Yemen. While smaller, established Somali communities exist further afield in Europe and North America, the data confirms that the primary burden of protection is concentrated within the immediate region, placing substantial strain on host communities and resources.
Compounding this complex picture, Somalia is also a country of asylum. Despite facing its own profound humanitarian challenges, it provides refuge to nearly 20,000 people from other nations. The profile of this refugee population is highly specific, with the data showing that over 63 per cent originate from a single country of origin. This shapes the particular protection environment and response required within Somalia, adding another layer to an already intricate displacement landscape.
AI Insight: Choropleth map of destination countries for displaced people from Somalia, where the highest concentration of individuals is within Somalia itself (IDPs) and in neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Kenya., This choropleth world map illustrates the global distribution of displaced populations originating from Somalia as of 2024. The population groups include Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and other people of concern to UNHCR. The color intensity of each country is proportional to the number of individuals from Somalia it hosts.
Statistical analysis reveals a highly skewed distribution among the 101 countries with available data. The total number of displaced persons per country ranges from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 3,861,856. This maximum value represents the significant population of internally displaced persons within Somalia. The median number of hosted individuals is just 114, indicating that half of the host countries shelter a very small population. The mean of 49,300 is heavily influenced by the large IDP population and major refugee-hosting nations.
Geographically, the displacement is predominantly regional. The highest concentrations of people from Somalia are found within Somalia itself and in neighboring countries, primarily Ethiopia and Kenya, which have historically hosted large Somali refugee populations in camps. Significant populations are also present in other nearby countries like Yemen. Beyond the immediate region, smaller but substantial communities exist in Europe (e.g., Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands) and North America, often as a result of resettlement programs and secondary movements. The vast majority of other countries host fewer than 2,000 individuals, highlighting that the primary responsibility for hosting is concentrated within the Horn of Africa.
Origin of Displaced Populations
AI Insight: Horizontal bar chart of the top 9 countries of origin for refugees in Somalia in 2024, where the population from the top country of origin is significantly larger than all other countries combined., This horizontal bar chart details the population of refugees in Somalia by their top nine countries of origin for the year 2024. The analysis is based on data for nine distinct nationalities.
The distribution of refugee populations is extremely right-skewed, indicating a significant concentration from one primary country. The total number of refugees from these nine countries is 19,503. The largest group consists of 12,332 individuals, representing over 63% of the total from this cohort. In contrast, the other eight groups are much smaller. The median population size is just 56 people, and the smallest group comprises only 5 individuals. The mean population of 2,167 is heavily skewed by the largest value, further emphasizing the disparity. Three-quarters of the origin countries have populations of fewer than 1,591 people. This statistical profile suggests that humanitarian response and resource allocation for refugees in Somalia are likely dominated by the needs of a single, large national group, while still needing to address the distinct needs of several other much smaller refugee communities.
