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A view of Lido beach from the sea in Mogadishu, Somalia on 15 November 2019.

Photo: AMISOM · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Environment & Sustainability

26th

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Somalia on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.069

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    Somalia: 0.069. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.

    World median
    3.21
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.065 Burundi
    Land neighbours
    Ethiopia 0.135 · Kenya 0.376
  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    24.53

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    Somalia: 24.53. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.

    World median
    10
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.83 Comoros
    Land neighbours
    Ethiopia 32.26 · Kenya 11.2
  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    No reading

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    FAO publishes no 2024 figure for Somalia, so the standing rests on the other keys.

    Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.

    World median
    0.725
    Best in Eastern Africa
    3.14 Uganda
    Land neighbours
    Ethiopia 0.59 · Kenya 0.61
  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.803

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    Somalia: 0.803. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.

    World median
    2.296
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.588 Mozambique
    Land neighbours
    Ethiopia 0.877 · Kenya 0.993

03In context

Somalia beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.

Eastern Africa
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

Somalia and the countries it borders

Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%)Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Somalia26th0.06924.53—0.803
Kenya47th0.37611.20.610.993
Ethiopia52nd0.13532.260.590.877
Somalilandnot placed————

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

04Context, no vote

Where Somalia is ahead of the world, and behind

39 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median3

Statistics on which Somalia does better than the middle country measured.

  • Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7380.691No real change since 2014

    Somalia: 0.691 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27920.93▲ Improved since 2014

    Somalia: 20.93 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4512.8No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 12.8 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.

    Position 127th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Behind the world median15

Statistics on which Somalia does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6631.675No earlier reading

    Somalia: 1.675 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75530.23▲ Improved since 2014

    Somalia: 530.23 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.

    Position 65th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0620.93▲ Improved since 2014

    Somalia: 20.93 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 103rd of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3220.93▲ Improved since 2014

    Somalia: 20.93 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 105th of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.33No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 2.33 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.

    Position 158th of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528337.04▼ Worsened since 2012

    Somalia: 337.04 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.

    Position 159th of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.1724.89No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 24.89 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.

    Position 15th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.56510.07No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 10.07 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.

    Position 8th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 58.4No earlier reading

    Somalia: 8.4 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.

    Ranked 4th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.11.23No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 1.23 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.180.59No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 0.59 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 0-2.11No real change since 2015

    Somalia: -2.11 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.396No real change since 2022

    Somalia: 0.396 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.

    Position 154th of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.638No real change since 2014

    Somalia: 0.638 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.

    Ranked 188th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4427No real change since 2014

    Somalia: 27 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.

    Ranked 189th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 00No real change since 2014

    Somalia: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

No better end20

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1499.48No real change since 2012

    Somalia: 99.48 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.

    Position 1st of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9670.34No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 70.34 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.

    Position 19th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04918.61Moved since 2014

    Somalia: 18.61 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70811.24Moved since 2013

    Somalia: 11.24 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.

    Position 41st of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69927.9No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 927.9 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63523,486No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 23,486 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.

    Position 63rd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37597,871Moved since 2014

    Somalia: 97,871 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.535Moved since 2015

    Somalia: 1.535 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9543.518Moved since 1990

    Somalia: 3.518 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278353,642No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 353,642 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.

    Position 105th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,9273,661No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 3,661 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8243,091No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 3,091 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.046Moved since 2014

    Somalia: 0.046 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,775218.05No real change since 2015

    Somalia: 218.05 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.06Moved since 2013

    Somalia: 0.06 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.

    Position 144th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.66Moved since 2014

    Somalia: 0.66 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.

    Position 135th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.089.165No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 9.165 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.

    Position 167th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.22No real change since 2013

    Somalia: 0.22 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.

    Position 153rd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.0010Moved since 2015

    Somalia: 0 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0750No real change since 2014

    Somalia: 0 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

06The top of the list

Who leads on environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Somalia can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Africa

    Angola1st3/4 keys
  2. Highest in Eastern Africa

    South Sudan9th2/4 keys
  3. This page

    Somalia26th3/4 keys

Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Questions

Somalia on environment & sustainability: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Somalia rank on environment & sustainability?

Somalia is placed 26th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Somalia?

0.069 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.

What is the latest Water Stress figure for Somalia?

24.53 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.

How does Somalia compare with Ethiopia on environment & sustainability?

Ethiopia is placed 52nd of 186, and Somalia 26th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Ethiopia 0.135, Somalia 0.069; Water Stress: Ethiopia 32.26, Somalia 24.53; Ecological Footprint: Ethiopia 0.877, Somalia 0.803.

How have Somalia’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.058 in 2000 to 0.069 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 24.47 in 2000 to 24.53 in 2023; Ecological Footprint fell from 1.182 in 2000 to 0.803 in 2025.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Somalia?

No current reading is published for Somalia on Adjusted Net Savings, Agricultural Irrigated Land, Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Cropland Nitrogen Balance, Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare, Meat Supply per Person, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Operating Wind Power Capacity, Organic Agricultural Area and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

08Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.

About environment & sustainability, in full

How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 39 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Somalia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Somalia: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/somalia/environment

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