Djibouti Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Djibouti, state on the north side of the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa; 23,000 km², 959,000 residents (2019).Djibouti borders in the north to Eritrea, in the west to Ethiopia and in the south to Somalia and has a coast towards the Gulf of Aden in the east. The capital is Djibouti (623 900 residents, 2013).

Country facts

Republic of Djibouti
Jumhuriyyat Jibuti
/ Republic of Djibouti
Country abbreviation: DJ
Area: 23 000 km²
Population (2019): 959,000 residents
Capital: Djibouti
Main languages: Somali, Arabic, French
State: Republic
Head of State: Ismail Omar Guelleh (President)
Head of Government: Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed
Per capita GDP (2018): USD 2,050
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 2 180
Currency: 1 franc = 100 centimes
Country number (telephony): 253
Currency code: DJF
Time difference compared to Sweden: +2
Internet domain name: dj
National Day: June 27 (Independence Day, 1977)

Nature

Land use: agricultural land (9%), other (91%)
Highest mountain: Moussa Ali (2,021 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 42 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.5%; birthrate 22 ‰, death count 7 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (30%), 15-64 (66%), 65- (4%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 64 years, women 68 years
Infant mortality (2019): 36 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 1 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.476 (place 172 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 78%
Most populous city (2013): Djibouti (623,900 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (2%), industry (17%), service (81%)
Exports (2017): US $ 161 million
Main export products: livestock, leather, coffee
Main exporting countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Qatar
Imports (2017): US $ 726 million
Main import products: food, transport equipment, chemicals
Main importing countries: United Arab Emirates, France, Saudi Arabia
Railway network (2017): 100 km

Djibouti is located in the eastern Afar sink. Except for coastal plains closest to the sea, the country consists largely of lava plateaus. The northern part is a mountain country that in Moussa Ali reaches 2,021 m above sea level. The land consists almost entirely of desert with sparse vegetation of prickly bushes and grasses.

In 1992, the one-party system was abolished. The president, who holds the executive power, is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. The country became independent in 1977.

The economy is mainly based on the transit trade at the international port in the capital and on the related service sector. A very small part of the land area (about 1%) can be cultivated, and agricultural production covers only 3% of the food demand. The most common agricultural products are vegetables and dates. Drought, the 1990s civil war and a rapid population increase have led to parts of the population suffering from malnutrition. The United States and France have military bases in the country.