Moving to United Kingdom from Somalia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Somalia to United Kingdom, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — London averages 60°F vs 86°F in Mogadishu, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Somalia to United Kingdom.

Living there in 2020
150,448 ↑ 13% vs 2015

people born in Somalia live in United Kingdom · UN DESA

Who's moving to United Kingdom?

Top countries of origin for United Kingdom's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in United Kingdom compared to Somalia.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SO
20.2
GB
2.4

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

SO
$52
GB
$6,606
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SO
0.2
GB
31.7

Somalia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SO
64.0
GB
13.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SO
0.0t
GB
4.2t

Somalia generally does better on environment, though United Kingdom leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SO
0.7
GB
41.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SO
24.5%
GB
14.3%

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Somalia across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SO
19.0%
GB
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SO
$1,500
GB
$54,100

United Kingdom performs significantly 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

SO
55.7 yrs
GB
81.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SO
86.5
GB
3.8

United Kingdom performs significantly 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.

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

Avg. annual high / low

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Mogadishu London
Jan–Mar 86°/74°F (30°/24°C) 49°/38°F (9°/3°C)
Apr–Jun 88°/76°F (31°/25°C) 64°/48°F (18°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 84°/73°F (29°/23°C) 72°/56°F (22°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/75°F (30°/24°C) 53°/43°F (12°/6°C)
View all months
Month Mogadishu London
Jan 86°/73°F (30.1°/23.0°C) 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C)
Feb 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.2°C) 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C)
Mar 87°/76°F (30.7°/24.7°C) 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C)
Apr 90°/78°F (32.0°/25.5°C) 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C)
May 88°/76°F (31.1°/24.7°C) 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C)
Jun 85°/74°F (29.5°/23.6°C) 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C)
Jul 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C) 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C)
Aug 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C) 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C)
Sep 85°/74°F (29.2°/23.2°C) 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C)
Oct 86°/76°F (30.1°/24.2°C) 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C)
Nov 87°/75°F (30.5°/24.1°C) 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C)
Dec 87°/74°F (30.6°/23.5°C) 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C)

Data: Met Office Met Office

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Somalia passport

Somalia passport holder visiting United Kingdom

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

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Somalia

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from United Kingdom?

Connectivity is usually fine (United Kingdom: 41.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does United Kingdom offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is United Kingdom safe for expats?

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in United Kingdom compared to Somalia?

Somalia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 31.7 doctors per 10,000 people in United Kingdom, compared to 0.2 in Somalia. United Kingdom scores 88 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Somalia: 27).

What's the weather like in United Kingdom compared to Somalia?

The average high temperature in London is 60°F, compared to 86°F in Mogadishu. London receives around 22.0 in of rainfall per year, while Mogadishu gets 18.7 in.

What language do they speak in United Kingdom?

The official language in United Kingdom is English. In Somalia, the official languages are Arabic and Somali.

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At a Glance

SO GB
Population 12,386,248 67,791,400
Currency Somali Shilling (SOS) British Pound Sterling (£)
Languages Arabic, Somali English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +252 +44
Time zones 1 9
Emergency number 999