Administrative divisions of Somalia

This article is about the states, regions, and districts of the Federal Republic of Somalia. For the region in Ethiopia, see the Somali Region.

As Somalia is officially a federal republic, the country is divided into seven federal member states, 18 administrative regions (gobollo, singular gobol), and 72 districts. (plural degmooyin; singular degmo)

Overview

The Federal Parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of autonomous regional states within the Federal Republic of Somalia. To this end, the legislature in December 2014 passed a law establishing the Boundary and Federalization Commission. The body is mandated with determining the boundaries of the country's constituent states, as well as arbitrating between these states.

History

In November 2014, the South West State of Somalia was established. Hirshabelle State was formed in October 2016. Khatumo State in the north central region was recognized in 2023 and superseded by North Eastern State of Somalia in 2025.

Federal member states

Map of Somalia's states and regions

Somalia is officially divided into seven federal member states. Somalia considers Somaliland (who unilaterally proclaimed independence in 1991 and remains claimed but uncontrolled) to still be a part of the country as a federal member state.

• Somaliland
• North Eastern
• Puntland
• Galmudug
• Hirshabelle
• South West
• Jubaland

Regional administrations

Banaadir (also called the Banaadir Regional Administration, or BRA) covers the area of the capital city Mogadishu, and does not belong to any federal member states.

Regions and districts

The president of Somalia Mohamed Siad Barre established the regions of Middle Juba, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Bakool between 1974 and 1975. Due to biases towards clans, Banaadir shrank to only consist of Mogadishu.

Region	Capital city	Population (2025 estimate)	Location	Districts
Awdal Region	Borama	655,894	Northwestern	Borama District Zeila District Lughaya District Baki District
Bakool Region	Hudur	560,267	Southern	El Barde District Hudur District Tiyeglow District Wajid District Rabdhure District
Banaadir Region	Mogadishu	3,262,129	Central	Abdiaziz District Bondhere District Daynile District Dharkenley District Hamar Jajab District Hamar Weyne District Hodan District Howlwadaag District Huriwa District Karan District Shibis District Shangani District Waberi District Wadajir District Warta Nabada District Yaqshid District
Bari Region	Bosaso	1,270,552	Northeastern	Bayla District