The Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) 2020 offers policymakers, stakeholders and Somali communities current and crucial information on the health and lives of people living across the country, in urban, rural and nomadic households.
Around 350 Somalis, most of whom were women with health backgrounds, knocked on the doors of more than 100,000 households over two phases from 2018 to early 2020 to gather information, primarily on Somali women of childbearing ages and children. The voices of respondents were documented and turned into statistics that will inform key planning and decision making in Somalia.
Using the information provided, stakeholders will be able to ensure Somali children and women in every corner of the country receive timely access to health, nutrition and other vital services.
In its analysis, the SHDS provides a glimpse into the lives of people from all walks of life—including children, youth, the elderly, rural and nomadic populations, and persons with disabilities—that have been identified in Somalia’s National Development Plan 9 as people that are the most vulnerable to inequality. Using the SHDS findings, decision makers can ensure their inclusion in planning and re
The SHDS will also allow decision makers to monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and country plans, including emergency response plans.
The SHDS was carried out by the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States, in collaboration with UNFPA Somalia.
