Somalia's economy at a glance

How big the economy is

Somalia's economy (GDP at market prices) was about $13.2 billion in 2025 (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025). Measured in 2025 prices, it grew from $10.0 billion in 2021 to $11.5 billion in 2025, a steady rise of about 3 to 4 percent a year (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025, Table 2).

Growth is expected to slow in 2026. The IMF projects 2.3 percent in 2026, 2.7 percent in 2027 and about 4 percent over the medium term, with inflation of 6.5 percent in 2026 (IMF, 5 October 2026). The World Bank projects 2.8 percent for 2026 (World Bank, 13 May 2026). Both name drought and falling aid as the main reasons.

Where the money goes

• Families spend more than the whole economy produces. Household spending equalled about 124 percent of GDP in 2025 (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025). This is possible because money from relatives abroad and aid pays for much of what families buy.
• Investment is rising. Spending on buildings, machines and equipment reached about 26 percent of GDP and grew 6 percent in 2025, led by imports of machinery and by construction (same source).
• Government is small. Federal government spending was about 7.3 percent of GDP in 2025 (same source).
• Imports are large. Imports of goods and services equalled about 80 percent of GDP. Food is the single largest item (same source).

Money from outside

Total money sent into Somalia reached a record $6.79 billion in 2025. Of this, $3.13 billion was sent by individuals to their families, about 24 percent of GDP (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025). Foreign direct investment rose to $880 million, mainly in telecoms, finance, energy and property (same source). See Money sent home.

Trade

Somalia sold $1.26 billion of goods abroad in 2025 and bought $7.30 billion. Live animals were about 73 percent of goods exports (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025). See Trade, exports and imports.

The state's money

The federal government collected $404 million of its own revenue in 2025 and received $516 million in grants. It spent $971 million (Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025). External debt fell from $5.2 billion in 2018 to $1.5 billion in 2025 after debt relief (same source). See The federal budget and taxes and Debt relief.

People and work

In the 2022 national household survey, 54.4 percent of people lived below the national poverty line. Only about a quarter of adults were working or looking for work, and youth unemployment was 30.1 percent (Somali National Bureau of Statistics, SIHBS 2022). See Jobs, work and poverty.

Somalia's main numbers, 2025

• GDP: about $13.2 billion
• Real growth: about 3 percent
• Inflation (average): 3.7 percent
• Shilling: 30,103 per US dollar on average (street notes)
• Money sent in from abroad: $6.79 billion (individuals: $3.13 billion)
• Goods exports: $1.26 billion; goods imports: $7.30 billion
• Bank assets: $2.30 billion
• Federal domestic revenue: $404 million
• External debt: $1.48 billion (11 percent of GDP)

All figures: Central Bank of Somalia, Annual Report 2025.

Somaliland

Somaliland keeps its own budget and currency. Its cabinet approved a 2026 budget of about $424.5 million (4.58 trillion Somaliland shillings) (Horn Diplomat, 29 November 2025). Federal figures above do not fully cover Somaliland's own accounts.

Sources disagree

The size of GDP depends on who measures it. The Central Bank uses $13.2 billion for 2025. Older World Bank figures used lower numbers. Remittance figures also differ: $3.1 billion counts only money sent by individuals, while $6.8 billion counts all transfers, including business and aid money.