Basic Information Capital City- Mogadishu Area- 246,200 sq. mi Population- 10,085,638 Density /sq. mi Religion- Islam (Sunni) Official Languages- Somali & Arabic Anthem- Qolobaa Calankeed (Somalia’s Coat of Arms)

Statistics Death rate – 13/1000 Birth rate – 45/1000 Natural increase – 3.2% Life expectancy – 54 Total Fertility rate – 6.8 Infant mortality – 81/1000 Sanitation – 52% urban 6% rural

Political Factors Government is unstable and corrupt Political/ Religious friction due to domestic and religious views on life In 2006, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), an Islamist organization, assumed control of much of the southern part of the country and quickly imposed Shari'a Law Al-Shabaab poses threats to democracy in Somalia as well as other fundamental Islamic groups

Religious & Cultural Factors Women have low status Influenced heavily by Muslim Faith Muslim view on women are very traditional Women expected to have many children- large families are socially accepted

Social & Educational Factors Contraception not in circulation, often frowned upon Literacy Level is low, at 37%- population in turn is poorly educated Sanitation has only recently been introduces in Rural areas of Somalia View that having more children will result in more surviving through infancy 47% of people living in Somalia suffer with aids About 43% of Somalia's population live in extreme poverty.

Economic Factors Is an LEDC Main source of income from Primary Sector (Agriculture and fishing) Children perceived as an economic benefit e.g. work on land and look after family when in their old age Industry and production is weak- only few trade links exist and introduction of new technology is struggling to expand

By Rhys Jones, Sebastien Davies and Nathan Smith