Geographical location :
Located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the west, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the east.
(i.e. 19,280,852)
nominal
Note: PPP per capita: ~ USD 1,600.76 (2024). World Scorecard
Why Somalia is a paradigmatic “failed / fragile state”.
Somalia remains one of the most archetypal cases of state failure and fragility. The central government’s authority is heavily contested. Al-Shabab continues to be a formidable insurgent actor, undermining security, limiting governance, and disrupting humanitarian access.
Multiple regions (especially in the south and center) are under the influence or control of militant groups such as Al-Shabab, which regularly carry out attacks and weaken state legitimacy.
State institutions are weak, revenue collection is minimal, and public service delivery is highly limited.
The ability to enforce laws, maintain order, or provide basic services is severely constrained.
