Safest cities in Somalia
26 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Parts of Somalia, including Somaliland
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in SomaliaTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Somalia, including Somaliland.
- Terrorist kidnapsThere is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Somalia, including in regions bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, and in Somaliland. Terrorists and criminal groups, including piracy groups, are involved in kidnapping. A number of western nationals, including British nationals, have been kidnapped in Somalia and some have been killed.
Political situation
- Somalia may see an increased risk of politically motivated unrest in the period around 15 May 2026. Past unrest has included protests and incidents of violence, including fatalities. On 3 June 2026, there were clashes in Mogadishu between Somali Security Forces and opposition forces.
Crime
- There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by armed militia throughout Somalia. There have been murders, armed robbery and criminal kidnaps.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry your passport and visa with you as ID. Somali nationals should consult local authorities in Somalia on personal ID requirements.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
- Public offencesSomalia has adopted Sharia law but is yet to implement it throughout the country. Al-Shabaab and other insurgent groups often have an extreme view on how to apply Sharia law.
- Alcohol laws and bansThe drinking and sale of alcohol is banned in Somalia.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDrug offences, including drug use, possession and trafficking, are treated seriously in Somalia and are punishable by law. Possible punishments include a lengthy prison sentence without bail.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Somalia. LGBT+ partners should not show affection in public.
- MoneyCredit cards are not widely accepted in Somalia and it is not possible to get currency advances using a credit card. You should take cash with you into the country. The US dollar is the main currency for exchanging in Somalia.
Transport risks
- Road travelTravelling by road in Somalia is dangerous and you should get advice from a security firm or a sponsoring organisation. Government forces, militias and other armed groups operate checkpoints on roads across Somalia. Exercise extreme caution when passing checkpoints and closely follow the instructions given by police and military personnel.
- Sea travelThere is still a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, where piracy has been reduced but not fully prevented. Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more. The threat assessment of the combined international naval counter-piracy forces is that sailing yachts should not enter the designated…
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingThe main rainy season in Somalia takes place between April and June, followed by lesser rains in October and November.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Somalia, updated 2026-06-04 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- no data
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.4042023
- Income
- $1,640/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 27.4 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 27/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 19/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 9/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 8.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.46GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 18.5 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.1 doctors /1k0.9 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 53 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 10.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 7.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 6.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Cyclone
- 1.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 1.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Somalia, with the death penalty applying in law (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Somalia compares
| Measure | Somalia | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 2.4 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.404 | 0.763 | −0.359 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 27.4 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +12.0 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 19/100 | 52/100 | −33/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 9/100 | 39/100 | −30/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 18.5 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −1.2 µg/m³ — better for Somalia |
| Natural-hazard risk | 8.2/10 | 3.8/10 | +4.3/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Somalia | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 4.5 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 38.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.404 | 0.563 | −0.159 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 27.4 /100k | 28.2 /100k | −0.8 /100k — better for Somalia |
| Rule of law | 19/100 | 42/100 | −23/100 — better for Africa median |
| Corruption perceptions | 9/100 | 31/100 | −22/100 — better for Africa median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 18.5 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −9.2 µg/m³ — better for Somalia |
| Natural-hazard risk | 8.2/10 | 5.2/10 | +3.0/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 26 cities, safest first
- Mogadishun/a · #6085 worldwide
- Hargeisan/a · #6087 worldwide
- Kismayon/a · #6091 worldwide
- Buraon/a · #6092 worldwide
- Baidoan/a · #6093 worldwide
- Boraman/a · #6097 worldwide
- Wanlaweynn/a · #6100 worldwide
- Mercan/a · #6102 worldwide
- Beledweynen/a · #6104 worldwide
- Jowharn/a · #6110 worldwide
- Bosason/a · #6111 worldwide
- Balcadn/a · #6116 worldwide
- Galkayon/a · #6118 worldwide
- Berberan/a · #6120 worldwide
- Barderan/a · #6123 worldwide
- Buulo Mareern/a · #6126 worldwide
- Qoryooleyn/a · #6128 worldwide
- El Afweynn/a · #6134 worldwide
- Buurhakaban/a · #6137 worldwide
- Erigavon/a · #6144 worldwide
- Wajidn/a · #6147 worldwide
- Barawan/a · #6152 worldwide
- Las Anodn/a · #6155 worldwide
- Gurieln/a · #6156 worldwide
- Jilibn/a · #6158 worldwide
- Jamamen/a · #6164 worldwide