Moving to Somalia from United Arab Emirates

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from United Arab Emirates to Somalia.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Somalia compared to United Arab Emirates.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

AE
5.9
SO
20.2

United Arab Emirates performs better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

AE
$3,727
SO
$52
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

AE
29.1
SO
0.2

United Arab Emirates 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

AE
70.0
SO
64.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

AE
18.3t
SO
0.0t

Somalia performs significantly better than United Arab Emirates 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

AE
40.0
SO
0.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

AE
1533.3%
SO
24.5%

United Arab Emirates 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

AE
2.7%
SO
19.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AE
$75,600
SO
$1,500

United Arab Emirates 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

AE
79.6 yrs
SO
55.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AE
5.1
SO
86.5

United Arab Emirates 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.

Abu Dhabi Rain: 3.5 in/yr (89 mm)
93° / 68°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Abu Dhabi Mogadishu
Jan–Mar 78°/56°F (26°/14°C) 86°/74°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 99°/72°F (37°/22°C) 88°/76°F (31°/25°C)
Jul–Sep 106°/81°F (41°/27°C) 84°/73°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/64°F (31°/18°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Abu Dhabi Mogadishu
Jan 75°/53°F (23.8°/11.8°C) 86°/73°F (30.1°/23.0°C)
Feb 76°/56°F (24.6°/13.2°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.2°C)
Mar 83°/60°F (28.6°/15.8°C) 87°/76°F (30.7°/24.7°C)
Apr 92°/66°F (33.4°/19.1°C) 90°/78°F (32.0°/25.5°C)
May 101°/73°F (38.4°/22.8°C) 88°/76°F (31.1°/24.7°C)
Jun 103°/77°F (39.6°/24.8°C) 85°/74°F (29.5°/23.6°C)
Jul 108°/82°F (42.0°/27.6°C) 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C)
Aug 107°/84°F (41.5°/28.7°C) 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C)
Sep 104°/78°F (40.1°/25.6°C) 85°/74°F (29.2°/23.2°C)
Oct 96°/71°F (35.8°/21.8°C) 86°/76°F (30.1°/24.2°C)
Nov 87°/64°F (30.6°/17.5°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/24.1°C)
Dec 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C) 87°/74°F (30.6°/23.5°C)

Data:

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Arab Emirates 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.

United Arab Emirates passport

United Arab Emirates passport holder visiting Somalia

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

Somalia passport holder visiting United Arab Emirates

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

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?

United Arab Emirates performs better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Somalia compared to United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates 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 29.1 in United Arab Emirates. Somalia scores 27 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Arab Emirates: 82).

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

The average high temperature in Mogadishu is 86°F, compared to 93°F in Abu Dhabi. Mogadishu receives around 18.7 in of rainfall per year, while Abu Dhabi gets 3.5 in.

What language do they speak in Somalia?

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

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At a Glance

AE SO
Population 9,915,803 12,386,248
Currency United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) Somali Shilling (SOS)
Languages Arabic Arabic, Somali
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +971 +252
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999