Somalia: immigration

How many people are internally displaced in Somalia?

Banadir region, which includes Mogadishu, hosted 1,109,273 internally displaced people (IDPs) on 31 August 2026, 33.1% of all IDPs in Somalia, according to the UNHCR Somalia data portal. Bay hosted 591,660 (17.7%), Gedo 304,711 and Juba Hoose 262,111.

The figures are estimates from the humanitarian camp coordination cluster and are updated regularly. People are displaced by conflict, drought and floods, and many have been displaced more than once. The portal also gives the national total by date.

Official sources: UNHCR Somalia data portal

How many refugees live in Somalia?

23,776 refugees and asylum seekers from Ethiopia were in Somalia on 31 August 2026, 70.7% of the total, according to Government and UNHCR figures on the UNHCR Somalia data portal. 7,852 came from Yemen (23.4%) and 1,224 from Syria.

Woqooyi Galbeed region, around Hargeisa, hosted 51.7% of refugees and asylum seekers, and Bari 21.4%. Somalia is also a country of origin for many refugees living in neighbouring countries, who are counted in those countries' figures.

Official sources: UNHCR Somalia data portal

What share of Somalia's population are immigrants?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Somalia was 0.4%, according to the UN Population Division. It was 0.3% in 2015. It is 46th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.2%. Worldwide: 176th of 193.

Are more people leaving Somalia than arriving?

12,077: that is net migration in Somalia for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 124,017; its low point was 2011, at -326,192. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; Somalia is 4th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 39th of 193.

How many refugees does Somalia host?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Somalia at 20,967 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Somalia placed 26th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 81st of 169.

How many refugees have fled Somalia?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Somalia was 892,037, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 1.14 million; its low point was 2005, at 395,544. It is 4th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 12,726. Worldwide: 8th of 189.