Administrative divisions of Somalia


As Somalia is officially a federal republic, the country is divided into seven federal member states, 18 administrative regions, and 72 districts.

Overview

The Federal Parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of autonomous regional states within the Federal Republic of Somalia. To this end, the legislature in December 2014 passed a law establishing the Boundary and Federalization Commission. The body is mandated with determining the boundaries of the country's constituent states, as well as arbitrating between these states.

History

In November 2014, the South West State of Somalia was established. Hirshabelle State was formed in October 2016. Khatumo State in the north central region was recognized in 2023 and superseded by North Eastern State of Somalia in 2025.

Federal member states

Somalia is officially divided into seven federal member states. Somalia considers Somaliland to still be a part of the country as a federal member state.

Regional administrations

Banaadir covers the area of the capital city Mogadishu, and does not belong to any federal member states.

Regions and districts

The president of Somalia, Mohamed Siad Barre who established the regions of Middle Juba, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Bakool between 1974-1975 due to biases towards clans, Banaadir shrank to only consist of Mogadishu.
RegionCapital cityPopulation
LocationDistricts
Awdal RegionBorama655,894Northwestern
Bakool RegionHudur560,267Southern
Banaadir RegionMogadishu3,262,129Central
Bari RegionBosaso1,270,552Northeastern
Bay RegionBaidoa1,286,787Southern
Galguduud RegionDhusamareb837,916Central
Gedo RegionGarbahaarreey1,005,924Southern
Hiiraan RegionBeledweyn520,517Central
[Lower Juba|Lower Juba Region]Kismayo1,194,276Southern
Lower Shabelle RegionMerca1,642,667Central
Middle Juba RegionBu'ale443,507Southern
Middle Shabelle RegionJowhar1,044,872Central
Mudug RegionGalkayo1,516,035Southern
Nugaal RegionGarowe651,464North Eastern
Sanaag RegionErigavo442,034Northern
Sool RegionLas Anod566,053Northern
Togdheer RegionBurao887,450Northern
Woqooyi Galbeed RegionHargeisa1,492,506Northwestern

Former divisions

Pre-independence

In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.
Following the 1935–36 Second Italo-Abyssinian War, Italian Somaliland became part of Italian East Africa with Abyssinia and Eritrea. Italian Somaliland was one of six governorates of the new colony, the Somalia Governorate, and incorporated Somali-inhabited parts of the former Abyssinia. The governorate was subdivided into 10 commissariats, which were themselves divided into residencies.
  • Alto Giuba '
  • Alto Scebeli '
  • Basso Scebeli '
  • Migiurtinia '
  • Mogadiscio '
  • Mudugh '
  • Ogaden '
  • Uebi Gestro '
  • Basso Giuba '
  • Nogal '
Following World War II, the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somalia consisted of six Regions.
  • Alto Giuba
  • Basso Giuba
  • Benadir
  • Hiiraan
  • Migiurtinia
  • Mudugh
The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.

Somalia

Upon independence in 1960, the Somali Republic maintained the 12 districts of the former Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland that merged to form the new country. In 1964, a new Northeastern Province was established by merging Burao, Erigavo, and Las Anod and a Northwestern Province was formed from Berbera, Borama, and Hargeisa districts. In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:
ProvinceAreaCapital
Benadir45,004Mogadishu
Burao128,000Burao
Hargeisa48,000Hargeisa
Hiran25,647Beled Weyne
Lower Juba49,917Jamame
Bosaso90,744Bosaso
Mudug118,737Galkayo
Upper Juba131,492Baidoa

In 1982, Somalia reorganized from eight provinces into 16 regions. In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.
After the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was instillated, some divisions of Somalia tried to be either a state or region. These said divisions were as follows: