MigrantoImmigrants in Somalia
46.7K foreign-born residents — the #162 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 100% of all immigrants
↑↓ — change vs 2020
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia | 28964 |
| Yemen | 17680 |
| Eritrea | 48 |
By region of origin
Africa is the leading region of origin at 62%
29K
17.7K
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Somalia.
Ethiopia is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Ethiopia accounts for 62% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 38%.
Immigration sources have diversified since 1990
The top source country's share fell from 100% to 62%, indicating a broader spread of origins.
The share of immigrants from Africa has declined since 1990
The share of immigrants from Africa has shifted from 100% to 62.1% since 1990.
Immigration has accelerated notably since 2020
The immigrant population grew 33% from 35.1K to 46.7K, indicating an acceleration in migration flows following COVID and recent geopolitical shifts.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 460000 |
| 1995 | 18044 |
| 2000 | 555 |
| 2005 | 1166 |
| 2010 | 26220 |
| 2015 | 19558 |
| 2020 | 35085 |
| 2024 | 46692 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Ethiopia | Yemen | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Somalia as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Somalia
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Somalia?
Around 46.7K foreign-born residents live in Somalia, making it the #162-largest immigrant population in the world.
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 foreign-born residents.
What share 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.
How has immigration to Somalia changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Somalia has grown from 19.6K to 46.7K people, a growth of about 139%.
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