Population in largest city in Somalia
Somalia: Population in largest city was 2.85 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Somalia, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in largest city in Somalia is 2.85 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
The figure is up 4.4% on the previous year and up 59.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Somalia peaked at 2.85 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 93,923, in 1960.
Somalia ranks 69th of 153 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Somalia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 93,923 | — |
| 1961 | 100,879 | +7.4% |
| 1962 | 108,361 | +7.4% |
| 1963 | 116,398 | +7.4% |
| 1964 | 127,855 | +9.8% |
| 1965 | 143,560 | +12.3% |
| 1966 | 161,221 | +12.3% |
| 1967 | 181,054 | +12.3% |
| 1968 | 203,359 | +12.3% |
| 1969 | 228,340 | +12.3% |
| 1970 | 256,430 | +12.3% |
| 1971 | 287,975 | +12.3% |
| 1972 | 323,453 | +12.3% |
| 1973 | 363,185 | +12.3% |
| 1974 | 407,863 | +12.3% |
| 1975 | 444,981 | +9.1% |
| 1976 | 464,428 | +4.4% |
| 1977 | 484,668 | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 505,820 | +4.4% |
| 1979 | 527,895 | +4.4% |
| 1980 | 550,966 | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 574,977 | +4.4% |
| 1982 | 600,127 | +4.4% |
| 1983 | 648,176 | +8.0% |
| 1984 | 700,125 | +8.0% |
| 1985 | 747,230 | +6.7% |
| 1986 | 797,577 | +6.7% |
| 1987 | 851,315 | +6.7% |
| 1988 | 908,756 | +6.7% |
| 1989 | 969,899 | +6.7% |
| 1990 | 1.04 million | +6.7% |
| 1991 | 1.10 million | +6.7% |
| 1992 | 1.12 million | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 1.13 million | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 1.14 million | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 1.15 million | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 1.16 million | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 1.17 million | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 1.18 million | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 1.19 million | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 1.20 million | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 1.21 million | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 1.26 million | +3.9% |
| 2003 | 1.31 million | +3.9% |
| 2004 | 1.36 million | +4.0% |
| 2005 | 1.42 million | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 1.47 million | +3.9% |
| 2007 | 1.10 million | -25.2% |
| 2008 | 1.18 million | +7.2% |
| 2009 | 1.26 million | +7.1% |
| 2010 | 1.35 million | +7.1% |
| 2011 | 1.45 million | +7.1% |
| 2012 | 1.53 million | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 1.61 million | +5.3% |
| 2014 | 1.69 million | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 1.78 million | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 1.88 million | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 1.98 million | +5.3% |
| 2018 | 2.08 million | +5.3% |
| 2019 | 2.18 million | +4.7% |
| 2020 | 2.28 million | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 2.39 million | +4.6% |
| 2022 | 2.50 million | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 2.61 million | +4.5% |
| 2024 | 2.73 million | +4.5% |
| 2025 | 2.85 million | +4.4% |
Somalia compared with similar countries
- Somalia's 2.85 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 1.4× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Somalia's 2.85 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 1.3× the median. (40 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Population in largest city in Somalia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | -25.2% | 1.47 million | 1.10 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 146,495 | 93,923 | 228,340 | 10 |
| 1970s | 406,670 | 256,430 | 527,895 | 10 |
| 1980s | 734,915 | 550,966 | 969,899 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.14 million | 1.04 million | 1.19 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.28 million | 1.10 million | 1.47 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.75 million | 1.35 million | 2.18 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.56 million | 2.28 million | 2.85 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
More urban development data for Somalia
- Population in the largest city 26.3% (2025)
- Population density 29.26 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 18.54 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.1448 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 2.85 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 4.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 4.16 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 48.36 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Somalia?
- Population in largest city in Somalia was 2.85 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Somalia?
- The highest recorded value was 2.85 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was 93,923 in 1960.
- How does Somalia rank for population in largest city?
- Somalia ranks 69th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Somalia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Somalia data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.