Moving to Somalia from Iraq

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Iraq to Somalia? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Iraq to Somalia.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Somalia compared to Iraq.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

IQ
21.5
SO
20.2

Somalia performs significantly better than Iraq across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

IQ
$843
SO
$52
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

IQ
10.1
SO
0.2

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Somalia leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

IQ
87.0
SO
64.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

IQ
5.2t
SO
0.0t

Somalia performs significantly better than Iraq across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

IQ
14.4
SO
0.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

IQ
59.6%
SO
24.5%

Iraq generally does better on infrastructure, though Somalia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

IQ
15.5%
SO
19.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

IQ
$12,600
SO
$1,500

Iraq performs better than Somalia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

IQ
73.2 yrs
SO
55.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

IQ
19.6
SO
86.5

Iraq performs better than Somalia across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Baghdad Rain: 4.8 in/yr (123 mm)
87° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Mogadishu Rain: 18.7 in/yr (474 mm)
86° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Baghdad Mogadishu
Jan–Mar 66°/43°F (19°/6°C) 86°/74°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 97°/67°F (36°/20°C) 88°/76°F (31°/25°C)
Jul–Sep 108°/74°F (43°/24°C) 84°/73°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 77°/50°F (25°/10°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Baghdad Mogadishu
Jan 60°/39°F (15.5°/3.8°C) 86°/73°F (30.1°/23.0°C)
Feb 65°/42°F (18.5°/5.5°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.2°C)
Mar 74°/49°F (23.6°/9.6°C) 87°/76°F (30.7°/24.7°C)
Apr 86°/59°F (29.9°/15.2°C) 90°/78°F (32.0°/25.5°C)
May 98°/68°F (36.5°/20.1°C) 88°/76°F (31.1°/24.7°C)
Jun 106°/74°F (41.3°/23.3°C) 85°/74°F (29.5°/23.6°C)
Jul 111°/78°F (44.0°/25.5°C) 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C)
Aug 110°/76°F (43.5°/24.5°C) 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C)
Sep 104°/69°F (40.2°/20.7°C) 85°/74°F (29.2°/23.2°C)
Oct 92°/61°F (33.4°/15.9°C) 86°/76°F (30.1°/24.2°C)
Nov 75°/49°F (23.7°/9.2°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/24.1°C)
Dec 63°/41°F (17.2°/5.1°C) 87°/74°F (30.6°/23.5°C)

Data: Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Iraq and Somalia. To live, work, or study long-term in Somalia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Somalia's immigration authority.

Iraq passport

Iraq passport holder visiting Somalia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Iraq passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Somalia.
Somalia passport

Somalia passport holder visiting Iraq

Visa Required
Somalia passport holders need a visa to enter Iraq.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Somalia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Somalia: 0.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Somalia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Somalia safe for expats?

Somalia performs significantly better than Iraq across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Somalia compared to Iraq?

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Somalia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Somalia, compared to 10.1 in Iraq. Somalia scores 27 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Iraq: 59).

What's the weather like in Somalia compared to Iraq?

The average high temperature in Mogadishu is 86°F, compared to 87°F in Baghdad. Mogadishu receives around 18.7 in of rainfall per year, while Baghdad gets 4.8 in.

What language do they speak in Somalia?

The official languages in Somalia are Arabic and Somali. In Iraq, the official languages are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani.

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At a Glance

IQ SO
Population 40,462,701 12,386,248
Currency Iraqi Dinar (IQD) Somali Shilling (SOS)
Languages Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani Arabic, Somali
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +964 +252
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 104