Adoption of communication technologies in Somalia
Somalia: Adoption of communication technologies was 55,005 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
55,005
Change on year
down 39.6%
World rank
150th
of 212 countries
All-time high
100,000
in 2003
All-time low
1,249
in 1960
Years of data
55
1960–2023
Adoption of communication technologies in Somalia, 1960–2023
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in Somalia is 55,005, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 39.6% on the previous year and down 14.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Somalia peaked at 100,000 in 2003 and was at its lowest, 1,249, in 1960.
That places Somalia 150th out of 212 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Somalia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,249 | — |
| 1961 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 1,249 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 8,000 | +540.5% |
| 1982 | 8,000 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 8,000 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 8,000 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 8,000 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 15,000 | +87.5% |
| 1987 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 23,000 | +53.3% |
| 1999 | 24,000 | +4.3% |
| 2000 | 25,000 | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 35,000 | +40.0% |
| 2002 | 35,000 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 100,000 | +185.7% |
| 2004 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 100,000 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 90,000 | -10.0% |
| 2012 | 70,000 | -22.2% |
| 2013 | 64,000 | -8.6% |
| 2014 | 57,200 | -10.6% |
| 2015 | 51,000 | -10.8% |
| 2016 | 48,000 | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 74,800 | +55.8% |
| 2019 | 91,000 | +21.7% |
| 2020 | 91,000 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 91,000 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 91,000 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 55,005 | -39.6% |
Somalia compared with similar countries
- Somalia's 55,005 is above the median for low income countries, which is 44,127, 1.2× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Somalia's 55,005 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 98% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1,249 | 1,249 | 1,249 | 9 |
| 1970s | 1,249 | 1,249 | 1,249 | 4 |
| 1980s | 11,111 | 8,000 | 15,000 | 9 |
| 1990s | 16,700 | 15,000 | 24,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 79,500 | 25,000 | 100,000 | 10 |
| 2010s | 71,778 | 48,000 | 100,000 | 9 |
| 2020s | 82,001 | 55,005 | 91,000 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
- 147 French Polynesia 65,969 compare
- 148 Cape Verde 61,294 compare
- 149 Kenya 57,017 compare
- 151 Andorra 53,215 compare
- 152 New Caledonia 46,570 compare
- 153 Curacao 45,974 compare
More reference data data for Somalia
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CH4) - Burning - Crop residues 0.4444 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.3652 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Manure applied 234.3 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 43.31 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Manure Management 96.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Enteric Fermentation 28,272 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Crop Residues 71.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CH4) - Enteric Fermentation 1,010 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2685 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Somalia?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Somalia was 55,005 in 2023, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Somalia?
- The highest recorded value was 100,000 in 2003.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,249 in 1960.
- How does Somalia rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Somalia ranks 150th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Somalia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Somalia data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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