Country explorer: Somalia
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Somalia is a arid, low-income country in Africa with a medium-sized population. Its economy has grown rapidly in recent decades, and is based on agriculture, livestock and telecommunications.
Somalia is undergoing rapid urbanization, with the capital Mogadishu being a key hub for this growth.
Economy
Somalia has experienced noticeable economic growth, as evidenced by a substantial increase in GDP per capita, yet still faces challenges highlighted by high and fluctuating unemployment rates, distinguishing it from its peers by showcasing a unique resilience amidst ongoing socio-economic challenges.
Demographics
Somalia has undergone significant demographic changes, marked by a rapid population growth, fluctuating net migration patterns, persistently high fertility rates, and gradual improvements in life expectancy, reflecting complex interplays of social, economic, and health dynamics similar to those experienced by other low-income countries.
Basic needs
Somalia has shown gradual but consistent improvements in access to electricity and clean cooking fuels, reflecting underlying societal transformations towards better living standards, albeit still lagging significantly behind its peers such as Kenya and Uganda.
Human development
Despite lacking comprehensive data on the Human Development Index and learning-adjusted years of schooling, Somalia has shown a significant reduction in child mortality rates over the past two decades, hinting at an improving trend in public health, albeit with persistent challenges in literacy that highlight ongoing struggles in education.
Environment & energy
Somalia has exhibited a minor yet incremental decrease in forest coverage, aligning with the broader struggle for environmental sustainability faced by many low-income countries, while grappling with relatively low yet increasing CO2 emissions and renewable energy production that underscores its ongoing development challenges amid global pushes for cleaner energy solutions.
Technology & innovation
Somalia has experienced remarkable growth in mobile phone subscriptions and a gradual increase in internet usage, indicative of a digital transformation process, albeit with lesser emphasis on scientific publication output, aligning with trends observed in several low-income countries.
Culture & society
Somalia has experienced a modest influx of foreign-born population, a notable improvement in self-reported life satisfaction, and a relatively stable age dependency ratio, reflecting gradual yet significant shifts in its societal fabric akin to trends seen in other low-income countries.
Governance
Somalia has shown modest improvements in governance areas such as the rule of law and civil liberties, despite persistent challenges with corruption and press freedom, highlighting its gradual, yet delicate path towards governance reform in a context distinct from many of its low-income peers characterized by a protracted state of fragility and recovery.