Somalia continues to face immense economic challenges that make daily living a struggle for many Somalis. According to the latest IPC acute food insecurity analysis, around 4.3 million people in Somalia are expected to face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity between October-December 2023. This represents 25% of the population that will struggle to meet their basic food needs. The main drivers of food insecurity include poor rainfall, flooding, conflict and insecurity, high food prices, diseases, and low coverage of humanitarian assistance.
Widespread Food Insecurity
The IPC analysis found that food consumption gaps are moderate to large for poor households in pastoral, agropastoral, and riverine livelihood zones across Somalia. Pastoralists have not fully recovered livestock assets lost in recent droughts, reducing income from milk and animal sales. Agropastoralists experienced below-average Gu cereal harvests in mid-2023 due to poor rains. Flood-affected riverine farmers lost crops and income opportunities. Food prices also remain well above average despite recent declines. These factors limit food access for the poor.
Child Poverty Crisis
The recently released Multi-Dimensional Child Poverty Analysis for Somalia also paints a concerning picture. The analysis found that 77% of Somali children experience multi-dimensional poverty based on indicators related to health, nutrition, water, sanitation, housing, and information access. This indicates a severe lack of access to basic needs for the majority of Somali children. Key factors driving child poverty include conflict and fragility limiting access to social services, high youth dependency ratios, gender inequality, and environmental shocks like droughts and floods.
Heavy Costs for Families
The high prevalence of poverty has significant costs for Somali families. Food accounts for over 60% of household expenditures for poor urban households. With cereals costing 80-120% above average prices, purchasing adequate food requires most available income. Non-food costs like water, housing, health care and education claim much of the remainder, leaving little cushion for emergencies. Rural Somalis often barter milk and livestock for grain, but low livestock holdings reduce household food access.
High poverty rates also have long-term consequences for Somali children. Without access to education, health care, nutrition, and other basics, children lack the foundation to reach their full potential. Persistent poverty and inequality undermine social cohesion and can fuel unrest. Breaking this cycle requires strategic investments in child welfare.
The Path Forward
While Somalia has made gradual progress rebuilding the economy and institutions since the 1990s, lasting prosperity remains elusive. Continued cooperation between government, development partners, civil society, and donors can put Somalia on a pathway out of recurring humanitarian crises. But political instability and conflict continue to limit progress. Somalis desire lasting peace and stability as the basis for improving their livelihoods and living standards. Reducing the devastating impacts of poverty must remain a top national priority. With inclusive social and economic policies that build resilience, Somali families can look forward to a more prosperous future.