2. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC DATA
18. The demographic characteristics of the country are captured in the general population and housing
census conducted in 2009. Based on this census, the Republic of Djibouti has a total population of
818,159 inhabitants.
19. The population of Djibouti is primarily city-based, more than 7 out of 10 inhabitants live in urban areas,
and highly concentrated in the capital Djibouti-city (nearly 6 out of 10 inhabitants). It is also
characterized by a high proportion of special populations (nearly one out of five) predominantly
composed of immigrants from the sub-region affected by war and economic hardships. Another
characteristic of the Djiboutian population is the significant number of nomadic populations which
represent almost 20% of the total population.
Table 1: Population distribution and key characteristics
Urban population
Region
Djibouti-city
Ali-Sabieh
Dikhil
Tadjourah
Obock
Arta
Total
Ordinary
353 801
22 630
19 347
12 157
9 933
11 043
428 911
Special
121 521
15 309
5 539
2 633
1 773
2217
149 022
Total
Urban
475 322
37 939
24 886
14 820
11 706
13 260
577 933
Rural
settled
population
Nomadic
population
Total
population
11 977
22 510
23 482
9 780
11 345
79 094
37 033
41 552
48 402
16 370
17 775
161 132
475 322
86 949
88 948
86 704
37 856
42 380
818 159
Source: GPHC 2009
20. The sex ratio is 116.4% taking into account special populations and 97.2% excluding the latter. An
analysis of the age structure reveals that 11.4% of the population is aged between 0 and 4 years, 23.8%
between 5 and 14 years, 60.7% between 15 and 59 years and 4.1% aged 60 years and above. Population
density is 27.5 inhabitants per square kilometre. The average household size, which was 6.2 persons,
dropped to 5.6 in 2012 (EDAM-IS3).
21. Djibouti was classified in the 2011 Human Development Report among countries with a medium level
of human development (HDI = 0.43), and ranked 165 out of 183 countries.
22. In the '80s and '90s, the national economy developed at a chequered pace due to successive political
crises (regional wars, internal armed conflicts) and economic shocks (drought) resulting in a gradual
decline in the country's competitiveness, financial situation and economic and social infrastructure. By
1995, per capita income had decreased by more than 25% relative to 1984 whereas the national budget
10