World · permanent entity record · DJ

Djibouti

Thirty-second orientation

Djibouti at a glance

Capital: Djibouti; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 1,184,076; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 23,200 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Djiboutian(s); adjective: Djiboutian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Djibouti through time

1977-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Djibouti became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	1,184,076World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 1,013,703 (2025 est.) male: 458,988 female: 554,715CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $4.6 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $3,906; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 66.2 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 73.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 69.2%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 65.3%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Djibouti; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 23,200 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 1,184,076; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Djiboutian francs (DJF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Djiboutian(s); adjective: Djiboutian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1977-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 314 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: desert; torrid, dry; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Sunni Muslim 94% (nearly all Djiboutians), other 6% (mainly foreign-born residents - Shia Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Baha'i, and atheist); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, green, white, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: red star; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Moussa Ali · 6,631 ft (2,021 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Lac Assal · -509 ft (-155 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, the Afar sultans signed treaties with the French that allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885. Tension between the ethnic Afar and Somali populations increased over time, as the ethnic Somalis perceived that the French unfairly favored the Afar and gave them disproportionate influence in local governance. In 1958, the French held a referendum that provided residents of French Somaliland the option to either continue their association with France or to join neighboring Somalia as it established its independence. Ethnic Somali protested the vote, because French colonial leaders did not recognize many Somali as residents, which gave the Afar outsized influence in the decision to uphold ties with France. After a second referendum in 1967, the French changed the territory’s name to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, in part to underscore their relationship with the ethnic Afar and downplay the significance of the ethnic Somalis. A final referendum in 1977 established Djibouti as an independent nation and granted ethnic Somalis Djiboutian nationality, formally resetting the balance of power between the majority ethnic Somalis and minority ethnic Afar residents. Upon independence, the country was named after its capital city of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, an ethnic Somali leader, installed an authoritarian one-party state and served as president until 1999. Unrest between the Afar minority and Somali majority culminated in a civil war during the 1990s that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential election resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to serve his third and fourth terms, and to begin a fifth term in 2021. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti’s ports also service transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government has longstanding ties to France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as do the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 23,200 sq km land: 23,180 sq km water: 20 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 528 km border countries (3): Eritrea 125 km; Ethiopia 342 km; Somalia 61 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 314 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: desert; torrid, dry; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Moussa Ali 2,021 m lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m mean elevation: 430 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: potential geothermal power, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 73.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 73.3% (2023 est.) forest: 0.3% (2023 est.) other: 26.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): salt water lake(s): Abhe Bad/Abhe Bid Hayk (shared with Ethiopia) - 780 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, and the other cities in the country are a fraction of its size, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods volcanism: experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society32 fields

Population: total: 1,013,703 (2025 est.) male: 458,988 female: 554,715; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (mostly Yemeni Arab, also French, Ethiopian, and Italian); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Sunni Muslim 94% (nearly all Djiboutians), other 6% (mainly foreign-born residents - Shia Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Baha'i, and atheist); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.4% (male 141,829/female 140,696) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 290,654/female 379,778) 65 years and over: 4.2% (2024 est.) (male 18,313/female 23,704); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 48.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 41.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 15.7 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 26.7 years (2025 est.) male: 24.4 years female: 27.9 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.84% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 21.46 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: 3.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, and the other cities in the country are a fraction of its size, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 78.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.56% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 600,000 DJIBOUTI (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.83 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 162 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 44.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.9 years (2024 est.) male: 63.4 years female: 68.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.03 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 84.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 47.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 76.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 15.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 52.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 23.8% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 2.9% of GDP (2021) 5.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 87.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 24.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 74% of population (2022 est.) urban: 12.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 75.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 26% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 13.5% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 17.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 46.5% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.4% (2019) women married by age 18: 6.5% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 3.8% of GDP (2018 est.) 14.5% national budget (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; limited arable land; deforestation (forests threatened by agriculture and the use of wood for fuel); desertification; endangered species; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: desert; torrid, dry; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 73.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 73.3% (2023 est.) forest: 0.3% (2023 est.) other: 26.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 78.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.56% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 685,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 45,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 640,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 21 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 115,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 14.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 16 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 3 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government22 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: République de Djibouti (French)/ Jumhuriyat Jibuti (Arabic) local short form: Djibouti (French)/ Jibuti (Arabic) former: French Somaliland, French Territory of the Afars and Issas etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Djibouti; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name is said to derive from the Afar word gabouri, meaning "plate," in reference to a palm-fiber plate used for ceremonial purposes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: mixed system based primarily on the French civil code (as it existed in 1997), Islamic religious law (in matters of family law and successions), and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: approved by referendum 4 September 1992 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; Assembly consideration of proposals requires assent of at least one third of the membership; passage requires a simple majority vote by the Assembly and approval by simple majority vote in a referendum; the president can opt to bypass a referendum if adopted by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on the sovereignty of Djibouti, its republican form of government, and its pluralist form of democracy cannot be amended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the mother must be a citizen of Djibouti dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil MOHAMED (since 1 April 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term; prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 9 April 2021 election results: 2021: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president for a fifth term; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH (RPP) 97.4%, Zakaria Ismael FARAH (MDEND) 2.7% expected date of next election: April 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 65 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 2/24/2023 parties elected and seats per party: Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP) (58); Union for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) (7) percentage of women in chamber: 26.2% expected date of next election: February 2028 note: most opposition parties boycotted the 2023 polls, stating the elections were "not free, not transparent, and not democratic"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (consists of NA magistrates); Constitutional Council (consists of 6 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court magistrates appointed by the president with the advice of the Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM), a 10-member body consisting of 4 judges, 3 members (non-parliamentarians and judges) appointed by the president, and 3 appointed by the National Assembly president or speaker; magistrates appointed for life with retirement at age 65; Constitutional Council magistrate appointments - 2 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, and 2 by the CSM; magistrates appointed for 8-year, non-renewable terms subordinate courts: High Court of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; customary courts; State Court (replaced sharia courts in 2003); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy (Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique) or FRUD National Democratic Party or PND People's Rally for Progress or RPP Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Union for the Presidential Majority coalition or UMP Union of Reform Partisans or UPR; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Siad DOUALEH (28 January 2016) chancery: 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 email address and website: info@djiboutiembassyus.org https://www.djiboutiembassyus.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia KIERSCHT (since 17 October 2024) embassy: Lot 350-B Haramouss, B.P. 185 mailing address: 2150 Djibouti Place, Washington DC 20521-2150 telephone: [253] 21-45-30-00 FAX: [253] 21-45-31-29 email address and website: DjiboutiACS@state.gov https://dj.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, ATMIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green, with a white isosceles triangle based on the left side that has a five-pointed red star in the center meaning: blue stands for sea, sky, and the Issa Somali people, green for earth and the Afar people, and white for peace; the red star stands for the struggle for independence and unity; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): red star; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): light blue, green, white, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti) lyrics/music: Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH history: adopted 1977; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy30 fields

Economic overview: food import-dependent Horn of Africa economy driven by various national military bases and port-based trade; fairly resilient from COVID-19 disruptions; major re-exporter; increasing Ethiopian and Chinese trade relations; investing in infrastructure; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.995 billion (2024 est.) $7.546 billion (2023 est.) $7.028 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 6% (2024 est.) 7.4% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $6,800 (2024 est.) $6,500 (2023 est.) $6,200 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $4.086 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2024 est.) 1.5% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.6% (2024 est.) industry: 15.4% (2024 est.) services: 75.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 73% (2024 est.) government consumption: 18.8% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -30.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 160.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -148.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: vegetables, beans, milk, beef, camel milk, lemons/limes, goat meat, lamb/mutton, tomatoes, beef offal (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: construction, agricultural processing, shipping; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 9.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 265,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 25.9% (2024 est.) 26.2% (2023 est.) 26.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 76.3% (2024 est.) male: 75.3% (2024 est.) female: 77.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 21.1% (2017 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.6 (2017 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% (2017 est.) highest 10%: 32.3% (2017 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $725 million (2019 est.) expenditures: $754 million (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 33.7% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: $610.124 million (2024 est.) $721.349 million (2023 est.) $656.207 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $5.25 billion (2024 est.) $5.877 billion (2023 est.) $5.674 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Ethiopia 77%, UAE 5%, China 3%, Singapore 2%, France 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: raw sugar, seed oils, cars, palm oil, rice (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $4.765 billion (2024 est.) $5.269 billion (2023 est.) $5.096 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 32%, India 12%, UAE 10%, Turkey 6%, Morocco 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, palm oil, fertilizers, cars, seed oils (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $348.725 million (2024 est.) $502.034 million (2023 est.) $589.437 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $2.531 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.721 (2024 est.) 177.721 (2023 est.) 177.721 (2022 est.) 177.721 (2021 est.) 177.721 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 65% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 72.8% electrification - rural areas: 36.6%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 210,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 584.997 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 512 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 128.74 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 65.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 34.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: exports: 8 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 19,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 10.428 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 28,700 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 559,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: state-owned Radiodiffusion-Télévision de Djibouti operates the sole terrestrial TV station, as well as the 2 domestic radio networks; no private TV or radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .dj; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 65% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 17,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J2; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 10 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 6 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 97 km (2017) (Djibouti segment of the 756 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) standard gauge: 97 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 40 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 4, oil tanker 13, other 21; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Djibouti, Doraleh; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Djibouti Armed Forces (Forces Armées Djiboutiennes or FAD): Djiboutian (or National) Army, Djiboutian Navy (includes Djiboutian Coast Guard), Djiboutian Air Force; Djiboutian National Gendarmerie Ministry of Interior: National Police (Police Nationale) (2025) note 1: the National Gendarmerie is a security force with military status under the FAD and the Ministry of Defense, but also has responsibilities to the Ministry of Interior; the Gendarmerie's duties include providing security outside of Djibouti City and protecting critical infrastructure within the city, such as the international airport note 2: the National Police are responsible for security within Djibouti City and have primary control over immigration and customs procedures for all land border-crossing points; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.) 3.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 10-12,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAD's inventory is a mix of mostly older or secondhand equipment from a variety of suppliers, including China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, Türkiye, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military deployments: approximately 1,500 Somalia (AUSSOM) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: Djibouti's military forces are largely focused on border, coastal, and internal security duties, such as counterterrorism; as recently as February 2025, Djiboutian forces have conducted operations near its border with Ethiopia against members of the Armed Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD A), which Djibouti considers a terrorist group China, France, Italy, Japan, and the US maintain bases in Djibouti for regional military missions, including counterterrorism, counter-piracy, crisis response, and security assistance; other countries, such as Germany and Spain, have smaller military contingents; the EU and NATO also maintain a presence in Djibouti to support multinational naval counter-piracy operations and maritime training efforts (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): al-Shabaab note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 32,636 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Djibouti does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so, therefore Djibouti was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/djibouti/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Djibouti at a glance

Djibouti through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile