Somalia Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 65th most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
20,508,749
The population of Somalia is about 20,508,749 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 20.3 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.25% of the world's people.
Somalia is ranked 65th of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 3.3% a year, roughly 1,843 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 37.2 million. That is 7.1 times its 1960 population of 2.9 million. Population density is 32 people per square kilometre. 55% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
20.3 million
Yearly change
+3.31%
World rank
65th
Share of world
0.25%
Density
32/km²
Land area
627,340 km²
Life expectancy
59.0 yrs
Births per woman
6.01
GDP per capita
$661
GDP
$13.0B
Population of Somalia, 1960–2050
Somalia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,876,331 | — | 5 |
| 1970 | 3,738,448 | +2.68% | 6 |
| 1980 | 5,936,154 | +8.94% | 9 |
| 1990 | 7,082,811 | −0.45% | 11 |
| 2000 | 8,838,713 | +4.08% | 14 |
| 2010 | 12,261,756 | +2.51% | 20 |
| 2020 | 16,651,191 | +3.87% | 27 |
| 2024 | 19,009,151 | +3.54% | 30 |
| 2026proj. | 20,305,907 | +3.31% | 32 |
| 2030proj. | 22,915,044 | +3.00% | 37 |
| 2040proj. | 29,896,287 | +2.50% | 48 |
| 2050proj. | 37,206,512 | +2.01% | 59 |
Somalia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 8.8 times as many people as Somalia. Bangladesh is 42.2 times more densely populated.
Somalia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Somalia in 2026?
About 20,305,907 (20.3 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Somalia's population growing?
Yes, by about 3.31% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Somalia?
About 32 people per km², with a land area of 627,340 km².
What will the population of Somalia be in 2050?
About 37.2 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Somalia?
Mogadishu.
What is the life expectancy in Somalia?
59.0 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.