Urban Population: Somalia
Somalia's urban population is currently 54.6% as of 2024. # Somalia Urban Population Somalia's urban population reached 54.
Current (2024)
54.6%
+1.0% y/y
Peak (2024)
54.6%
Low (1960)
17.7%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Somalia
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Somalia
Analysis# Somalia Urban Population
Somalia's urban population reached 54.618% in 2024, marking its all-time peak since records began in 1960. The country has undergone dramatic urbanization over six decades, rising from just 17.666% urban residents in 1960—a total increase of 209.2%. This trajectory reflects decades of rural-to-urban migration driven by economic opportunity, conflict, and environmental pressures across the Horn of Africa.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, when urban population stood at 43.862%. By 2024, the rate climbed 10.756 percentage points in nine years, averaging roughly 1.2 percentage points annually. The consistent year-over-year growth from 2015 onward suggests Somalia's urbanization momentum remains strong. With over half the population now concentrated in cities, continued urban expansion will likely shape infrastructure, resource management, and economic development priorities through the coming decade.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54.6% | +1.01% |
| 2023 | 54.1% | +1.07% |
| 2022 | 53.5% | +1.12% |
| 2021 | 52.9% | +1.19% |
| 2020 | 52.3% | +1.25% |
| 2019 | 51.6% | +1.36% |
| 2018 | 51.0% | +5.35% |
| 2017 | 48.4% | +5.27% |
| 2016 | 45.9% | +4.74% |
| 2015 | 43.9% | +3.57% |
| 2014 | 42.4% | +2.65% |
| 2013 | 41.3% | +2.45% |
| 2012 | 40.3% | +2.27% |
| 2011 | 39.4% | +2.09% |
| 2010 | 38.6% | +1.93% |
| 2009 | 37.8% | +1.79% |
| 2008 | 37.2% | +1.67% |
| 2007 | 36.6% | +1.57% |
| 2006 | 36.0% | +1.50% |
| 2005 | 35.5% | +1.44% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 35.0% | +1.42% |
| 2003 | 34.5% | +1.43% |
| 2002 | 34.0% | +1.41% |
| 2001 | 33.5% | +1.37% |
| 2000 | 33.1% | +1.33% |
| 1999 | 32.6% | +1.29% |
| 1998 | 32.2% | +1.25% |
| 1997 | 31.8% | +1.22% |
| 1996 | 31.4% | +1.18% |
| 1995 | 31.1% | +1.15% |
| 1994 | 30.7% | +1.13% |
| 1993 | 30.4% | +1.10% |
| 1992 | 30.0% | +1.08% |
| 1991 | 29.7% | +1.06% |
| 1990 | 29.4% | +1.06% |
| 1989 | 29.1% | +1.05% |
| 1988 | 28.8% | +1.04% |
| 1987 | 28.5% | +1.00% |
| 1986 | 28.2% | +0.92% |
| 1985 | 28.0% | +0.86% |
| 1984 | 27.7% | +0.82% |
| 1983 | 27.5% | +0.80% |
| 1982 | 27.3% | +0.79% |
| 1981 | 27.1% | +0.81% |
| 1980 | 26.8% | +0.85% |
| 1979 | 26.6% | +0.90% |
| 1978 | 26.4% | +0.99% |
| 1977 | 26.1% | +1.09% |
| 1976 | 25.8% | +1.22% |
| 1975 | 25.5% | +1.39% |
| 1974 | 25.2% | +1.67% |
| 1973 | 24.8% | +1.92% |
| 1972 | 24.3% | +2.15% |
| 1971 | 23.8% | +2.35% |
| 1970 | 23.2% | +2.53% |
| 1969 | 22.7% | +2.68% |
| 1968 | 22.1% | +2.78% |
| 1967 | 21.5% | +2.85% |
| 1966 | 20.9% | +2.88% |
| 1965 | 20.3% | +2.86% |
| 1964 | 19.7% | +2.78% |
| 1963 | 19.2% | +2.76% |
| 1962 | 18.7% | +2.81% |
| 1961 | 18.2% | +2.88% |
| 1960 | 17.7% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
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Compare Urban Population
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Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.