Somalia: environment

How many people in Somalia have electricity?

61.9% of Somalia's population had access to electricity in 2022, according to the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics' Integrated Household Budget Survey. Access was 80.1% in urban areas, 39.4% in rural areas and 8.7% among nomads.

The survey records whether a household has access, so it does not measure how reliable or affordable the supply is. Solar lighting is listed separately as a lighting source.

Official sources: Integrated Household Budget Survey

What fuel do households in Somalia use for cooking?

Charcoal (47.9%) and firewood (41.3%) are the most common cooking fuels in Somalia, according to the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics' Integrated Household Budget Survey 2022. Gas and electricity are rarely used for cooking. Urban households mostly use charcoal (60.6%), while 55.8% of rural and 94.3% of nomadic households use firewood.

The survey measures the main cooking fuel each household reports, and gives figures by place of residence.

Official sources: Integrated Household Budget Survey 2022

How much CO2 does Somalia emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Somalia at 0.0 tonnes in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Somalia placed 47th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 182nd highest.

What are Somalia's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Somalia was 34.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Somalia is 19th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 102nd highest.

How much renewable energy does Somalia use?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Somalia at 95.4% in 2022. Since 2005 it has ranged from 93.0% (2007) to 95.5% (2020). It is 1st highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 70.0%. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 1st highest.

What share of Somalia is covered by forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 7.8%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Somalia placed 43rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 159th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Somalia?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Somalia was 18.5 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 20.6 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2005, at 16.8 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 36th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 95th of 192.

How much of Somalia is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Somalia at 0.0% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2016. It is 47th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.9%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 189th highest.

What is water stress in Somalia?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 24.5%. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and Somalia placed 8th highest of 47. Worldwide: 60th of 175.