Somalia: health and care

What is the maternal mortality rate in Somalia?

The Somalia National Bureau of Statistics shows a maternal mortality ratio of 692 among its headline indicators on its homepage. The ratio measures deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births.

Maternal deaths are hard to count where many births happen at home and deaths are not registered, so national estimates come from household surveys. The Bureau's Socio-Demographic Survey 2026 found a large gap in postnatal care in the districts it covered.

Official sources: homepage · Socio-Demographic Survey 2026

What is the fertility rate in Somalia?

The total fertility rate was 5.7 children per woman across the districts covered by the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics' Socio-Demographic Survey 2026. The survey covered Baidoa, Beletweyne, Dhusamareeb, Kahda and Kismayo, so the figure is not a national rate.

The survey found that 46% of the population in these districts was aged under 15 and 2% aged 65 or over, with a dependency ratio of 119 dependents per 100 people of working age. High fertility and a young population mean demand for maternal and child health services is high.

Official sources: Socio-Demographic Survey 2026

What is life expectancy in Somalia?

59.0 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Somalia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 43rd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3 years. World rank, highest first: 188th of 193.

What is Somalia's infant mortality rate?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Somalia at 65.4 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and Somalia placed 4th highest of 48. Worldwide: 4th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Somalia?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Somalia at 563 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 257 per 100,000; Somalia is 6th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 6th of 192.

What is Somalia's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Somalia was 3.7% of GDP in 2023. No year since 2013 has been higher. It is 32nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.4% of GDP. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 159th highest.

How much do people in Somalia pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Somalia at 30.8% in 2023. No year since 2013 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 32.4%; Somalia is 27th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 83rd of 191.

What is hospital capacity in Somalia?

0.87 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Somalia for 2019, according to the WHO. The figure has been the same every year since 2011. It is 9th highest of 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.81 per 1,000. Of 136 countries with 2019 data, 119th highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Somalia?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Somalia was 64.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 69.0% in 2022 and the low 34.0% in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Somalia placed 38th highest of 48. Worldwide: 176th of 191.