Quick facts
Mogadishu overview
Mogadishu (orange) and the other large cities of Somalia
Mogadishu lies in Banaadir in Somalia at 2.04°N, 45.34°E, about 12 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Mogadishu (UTC+3); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Somalia: the next largest cities are Borama (597,842), Hargeysa (477,876), Berbera (242,344). Together, the three largest cities hold 17.9% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Afgooye, about 27 km away, followed by Marka (73 km).
Somalia as a whole has a live population of 20,495,918 (+3.2% a year) and ranks #66 of 238 countries — see the Somalia population page for the full statistics and the Somalia atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Mogadishu
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Afgooye Lower Shabeelle | 27 km | 65,461 |
| Marka Lower Shabeelle | 73 km | 230,100 |
| Jawhar Middle Shabele | 85 km | 47,086 |
| Qoryooley Lower Shabeelle | 95 km | 51,720 |
| Buurhakaba Bay | 164 km | 27,792 |
Largest cities in Somalia
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mogadishu?
Mogadishu has about 2,587,183 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Mogadishu the capital of Somalia?
Yes — Mogadishu is the national capital of Somalia.
How big is Mogadishu compared with the rest of Somalia?
Its 2,587,183 residents are 12.6% of the 20,495,918 people living in Somalia today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Mogadishu?
In Banaadir, Somalia, at latitude 2.04 and longitude 45.34, 12 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Afgooye (27 km), Marka (73 km), Jawhar (85 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Mogadishu Population 2026 — Somalia. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/somalia/mogadishu/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/somalia/mogadishu/">Mogadishu Population 2026 — Somalia</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.