MigrantoImmigrants in Somalia
46.7K foreigners live in Somalia — 0% of the country's population
Immigrants in Somalia by country
The 3 largest groups make up 100% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia | 28964 |
| Yemen | 17680 |
| Eritrea | 48 |
By region of origin
62% of immigrants come from Africa
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Key facts
Immigrants in Somalia in numbers
Ethiopians are the largest group by a wide margin
62% of all immigrants were born in Ethiopia, while the next group accounts for just 38%.
Immigrants come from a wider range of countries than in 1990
The largest group's share fell from 100% to 62%.
The share of immigrants from Africa has declined since 1990
100% of immigrants came from Africa in 1990, compared with 62.1% today.
The immigrant population has grown 33% since 2020
The number of foreigners living in Somalia rose from 35.1K to 46.7K in four years.
Immigrant population in Somalia over time
Foreigners living in Somalia, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 460000 |
| 1995 | 18044 |
| 2000 | 555 |
| 2005 | 1166 |
| 2010 | 26220 |
| 2015 | 19558 |
| 2020 | 35085 |
| 2024 | 46692 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Somalia, by year
| Year | Ethiopians | Yemenis | Eritreans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 460000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 18044 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 555 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1148 | 0 | 18 |
| 2010 | 26183 | 0 | 37 |
| 2015 | 13641 | 5883 | 34 |
| 2020 | 21764 | 13285 | 36 |
| 2024 | 28964 | 17680 | 48 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Somalia
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Somalia
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Somalia?
Around 46.7K immigrants live in Somalia — the world's #162 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Somalia are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 0% of the population of Somalia — that's 46.7K out of a total population of 19M.
Where do most immigrants in Somalia come from?
Most immigrants in Somalia come from Ethiopia, Yemen and Eritrea — these three countries account for about 100% of all immigrants.
How many Ethiopians live in Somalia?
Around 29K Ethiopians live in Somalia — about 62% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Somalia growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Somalia has grown from 19.6K to 46.7K, about 139%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Somalia come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Somalia. Their children born in Somalia are not included.
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Living in Somalia
See the full country overview