People & economy

Djibouti: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Djibouti: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Skilla1st CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
958,920
#158 of 197 countries
Area
23,200 km²
#152 of 248 countries
Density
41.3 / km²
#178 of 245 countries

Djibouti has a population of 958,920 spread across 23,200 km², giving it an average density of 41.3 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
26.7
Life Expectancy
65.9 yrs
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Djibouti is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 47% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$3,381
Cost of Living
47% of US
Inflation
1.5%
Inequality
41.6
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$6,800
Unemployment
25.9%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.3% of Djibouti's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
1.3%
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Djibouti there are 0.21 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.21/1k
Hospital Beds
1.4/1k
Health Spend
$78/person
Infant Mortality
44.4/1k
Immunization
75%
Safe Drinking Water
79.7%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
67.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Djibouti, 65% of the population uses the internet: WiFi is easy to find in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 48 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
65.0%
Mobile Subs
48/100
Broadband
1.5/100
Electricity Access
65.2%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data