The Directorate of Population and Social Statistics is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating high-quality demographic and social data to inform policy, promote inclusive development, and monitor national and global goals. Its five divisions serve as a national data engine—supporting planning, programming, and accountability. At the heart of the directorate is the Population Statistics Division, complemented by specialized divisions on Migration & CRVS, Gender, Social, Population, and Labour Statistics.
- POPULATION STATISTICS DIVISION
The Population Statistics Division is the core of the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS), serving as an indispensable resource for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and efficient resource allocation. Through comprehensive data collection methods like censuses and surveys, the division gains crucial insights into Somalia’s demographics, socio-economic landscape, and population distribution.
One of its primary roles is to facilitate robust planning by providing detailed data on age distribution, sex ratios, and household sizes, enabling targeted interventions and equitable resource distribution across Somalia’s regions. It plays a key role in identifying vulnerable populations and tracking progress toward development targets such as the SDGs.
The division supports strategic economic and social planning across sectors, including employment, health, infrastructure, and education. Through regular censuses, surveys, and accessible dissemination platforms, it ensures that high-quality population data is available for policymakers, development partners, and the public.
Mandate:
- Conduct national Population and Housing Censuses.
- Implement national demographic surveys including DHS and MICS.
- Analyze fertility, mortality, migration, and household composition.
- Produce population projections to support policy and planning.
- Identify vulnerable groups for targeted support.
- Track national progress on development goals, including the SDGs.
- Inform sectoral planning in health, education, and infrastructure.
- Disseminate population data through publications and online platforms.
- MIGRATION AND CIVIL REGISTRATION AND VITAL STATISTICS (CRVS) DIVISION
The Migration and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Division plays a critical role in tracking population mobility and documenting the life events that shape the Somali population. It serves as the national source of truth on both migration dynamics—including internal displacement, urban-rural shifts, and international migration and vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces.
Given Somalia’s history of protracted crises, conflict, and climate shocks, internal displacement is a major demographic force. The division works to capture accurate and timely data on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, nomadic populations, and migration flows, helping policymakers and humanitarian actors respond to emerging needs.
In parallel, the CRVS component of the division is tasked with building a modern, inclusive registration system to ensure legal identity for all from birth. This is crucial for access to education, health, justice, and protection services. The division’s work underpins social protection systems, informs planning, and supports Somalia’s compliance with global development frameworks such as the SDGs and African Programme on Accelerated Improvement of CRVS (APAI-CRVS).
By producing Vital Statistics Reports and migration data products, the division ensures the country has the foundational data needed to plan services, respond to crises, and monitor population change.
Mandate:
- Collect and analyze data on internal migration, cross-border migration, and internal displacement (IDPs).
- Develop and strengthen a comprehensive, interoperable Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system.
- Produce the vital statistics report covering births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, in accordance with international standards.
- Produce and publish regular Vital Statistics Reports to support health, education, and legal identity planning.
- Capture data on nomadic populations, seasonal labor migration, and refugee returnees.
- Support humanitarian and development agencies with data for displacement tracking and service delivery.
- Collaborate with local governments, ministries, and development partners to harmonize CRVS and migration systems with global frameworks.
- GENDER STATISTICS DIVISION
The Gender Statistics Division ensures that all statistics produced by SNBS reflect the realities of both women and men. By mainstreaming gender across all areas of statistical production, this division enables evidence-based policymaking that promotes gender equality and social inclusion.
The division plays a critical role in identifying and addressing gender data gaps across key sectors such as education, employment, health, and gender-based violence. It supports the design and monitoring of SDG 5 and other international frameworks.
Through specialized gender modules in national surveys such as DHS and MICS, and through its annual Men and Women Statistics Booklet, the division provides high impact data to shape equitable policies and promote accountability.
Mandate:
- Produce and disseminate Men and Women-disaggregated data across all sectors.
- Identify Men and Women gaps in health, education, labor, and protection.
- Lead gender modules in DHS, MICS, and national surveys.
- Monitor progress toward SDG 5.
- Build national capacity for gender data collection and analysis.
4. SOCIAL STATISTICS DIVISION
The Social Statistics Division is dedicated to capturing the social conditions that shape the lives of Somali people. This includes access to education, health services, housing, water and sanitation, and social protection systems.
By undertaking large-scale household surveys and compiling administrative data, the division informs national and international development goals such as the SDGs. Its data highlights gaps in access and service delivery, particularly for marginalized populations.
Through its focus on inclusive, high-quality data, the division supports sectoral ministries and development partners in designing effective policies and programs that improve social well-being and reduce inequality.
Mandate:
- Generate statistics on education, health, WASH, disability, and social protection.
- Conduct household surveys such as DHS and MICS.
- Monitor social progress under national plans and SDGs.
- Collaborate with ministries and NGOs to ensure actionable data.
- Address the needs of vulnerable and underserved groups.
- Provide evidence for inclusive policy and service design.
5. Labour Statistics Division
The Labour Statistics Division captures the dynamics of Somalia’s labor market, providing essential data for economic planning, employment policy, and poverty reduction strategies.
This division conducts labor force surveys and integrates administrative sources to monitor employment trends, wage conditions, skills availability, and informal sector activity. It supports national and international reporting on decent work, including Somalia’s progress toward SDG 8.
By supplying labor market intelligence, the division enables targeted interventions in youth employment, vocational training, gender equity in employment, and workforce development.
Mandate:
- Conduct Labour Force Surveys (LFS) and labor-related modules in other surveys.
- Collect data on employment, unemployment, and work conditions.
- Monitor indicators for SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
- Support evidence-based labor market and job creation policies.
- Inform workforce development, skills training, and wage reforms.
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and international partners such as the ILO.