Djibouti: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Djibouti 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Djibouti: na
  • Happiness Score Djibouti:na

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Djibouti. DJ.

    Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, with a government structure consisting of a unitary dominant-party presidential republic. Its notable cultural aspects include a blend of Somali, Afar, and French influences, and it is strategically significant due to its position at the Bab el-Mandeb strait, linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Djibouti’s economy is primarily driven by port services, trade, and logistics.

  • Djibouti is home to Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa and the third-lowest point on Earth.
  • The country hosts military bases from several foreign countries, including the United States, China, and France.
  • Djibouti is known for its rich marine biodiversity, including the presence of whale sharks in its waters.
  • Djibouti: A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History: The earliest known inhabitants of the Djibouti region were the Afar and Issa-Somali people. The territory was part of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum (100-940 CE), a major naval and trading empire that dominated the Red Sea region. Around the 7th century, Islam spread to the area, and the Afar people embraced the new religion.

    Kingdoms and Empires: From the 13th to the 16th century, the Adal Sultanate, a multi-ethnic Muslim empire, controlled parts of modern-day Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The Ottomans also had a presence in the region from the 16th to the 19th century.

    Colonial Period: In the late 19th century, France established a foothold in the region, known as French Somaliland. In 1894, the Djibouti area was designated as a French Protectorate, and the city of Djibouti became the capital of French Somaliland in 1896.

    Independence and Modern Era: After a referendum in 1967, French Somaliland was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and Issas. On June 27, 1977, the territory gained independence as the Republic of Djibouti. The country faced civil unrest and border conflicts with neighboring countries in the following years but has remained relatively stable since the early 2000s.

    Current Political Situation: Djibouti is a semi-presidential republic with a multi-party system. Ismail Omar Guelleh has been the president since 1999, and his party, the People’s Rally for Progress, dominates the political landscape. Recent elections have been criticized by international observers for lacking transparency and fairness.

    International Relations: Djibouti maintains close ties with France, its former colonial power, and the United States, which has a significant military presence in the country. Djibouti is a member of the Arab League, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

    Human Development and Economy: Djibouti has a service-based economy, with the port and logistics sectors being major contributors. The country has a relatively high Human Development Index (HDI) for the region but faces challenges with poverty, unemployment, and access to clean water.

    Cultural Highlights: Djibouti is a melting pot of diverse cultures, including Somali, Afar, Arab, and French influences. Islam is the predominant religion, and the official languages are French and Arabic. The country is known for its vibrant music scene, featuring traditional genres like the Somali banaadiri and Afar dances.

    Djibouti faces significant challenges, such as high unemployment, poverty, and limited natural resources, but its strategic location and role as a regional hub for trade and logistics present opportunities for economic growth and development.

    Travel Tips for Djibouti

    – Best times to visit: October to April (dry season) for comfortable weather and fewer mosquitoes.
    – Cultural etiquette: Dress modestly and respect local customs, especially during Ramadan.
    – Safety precautions: Exercise caution in remote areas and avoid border regions due to potential unrest.
    – Must-see landmarks: Lake Assal (one of the hottest places on Earth), Lac Abbé (a stunning salt lake), and the vibrant Djibouti City markets.
    – Culinary experiences: Try traditional dishes like Somali rice (bariis), camel meat, and the iconic Djibouti coffee.

Main facts

1. Location

Djibouti is a country located in the Horn of Africa, situated along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. It borders Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the west and south, and Somalia to the southeast.

2. Map References

Djibouti is located in Eastern Africa.

3. Area – Comparative

Djibouti has a total area of 23,200 sq km, which is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Djibouti shares land borders with the following countries:

5. Coastline

Djibouti has a coastline of 314 km along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The coastal area includes the strategically important Gulf of Tadjoura.

6. Maritime Claims

Djibouti claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles

7. Climate

Djibouti has a hot and arid climate, with little rainfall. The coastal areas are hot and humid, while the interior regions are cooler and drier.

8. Terrain

Djibouti has a diverse terrain, with coastal plains, plateaus, and mountains in the interior. The Grand Bara Desert covers a significant portion of the country’s southern region.

9. Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Djibouti is Moussa Ali at 2,028 meters, while the lowest point is Lac Assal at 155 meters below sea level.

10. Natural Resources

Djibouti’s natural resources include geothermal energy, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, and gypsum.

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Djibouti include:

  • Gulf of Tadjoura (shared with Yemen)
  • Ghoubet Gulf (shared with Eritrea)
  • Lac Assal (a saline lake)
  • Lac Abbe (shared with Ethiopia)

12. Natural Hazards

The main natural hazards in Djibouti include earthquakes, droughts, and occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean.

13. Geography – Notes

Djibouti’s strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea, along a major international shipping route, has significant geopolitical importance. The country is also known for its harsh desert climate and limited arable land.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 0.20%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 620. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 73.40%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  11.82513842.590275.
  • Capital: The capital of Djibouti is  Djibouti City
  • Major Cities:
  • Population: 973,56
  • Area(Km2): 23200
  • Population Density( P/Km²):43. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:253
  • Official Language(s):Djibouti: French 53%, Arabic 35%, Somali 11%
  • Currency: DJF

Main Economic Indicators

Djibouti’s economy is a small, open economy that relies heavily on its strategic location at the intersection of major shipping lanes connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The economy is relatively undiversified, with service sectors like transportation, logistics, and trade accounting for a significant share of GDP. Key economic challenges include high unemployment, poverty, and a lack of natural resources. Notable economic policies aim to promote foreign investment and develop Djibouti as a regional commercial hub.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2021: 1.8%
2020: 4.8%
Source: International Monetary Fund

Credit Ratings

Fitch: Not Rated
Moody’s: Not Rated
Standard & Poor’s: Not Rated

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 2.2%
Industry: 13.9%
Services: 83.9%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Fruits, Vegetables, Goats, Sheep, Camels
Industrial Products: Construction, Agricultural Processing, Shipbuilding, Handicrafts

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 345,000 (2020 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: Not Available

Current Account Balance

2021: $249 million (surplus)
2020: $126 million (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: Not Available

Exports and Imports

Exports: $313 million (2021)
Key Partners: Somalia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, China
Main Commodities: Reexports (e.g., Small Ships, Scrap Metal), Livestock, Hides
Imports: $2.4 billion (2021)
Key Partners: China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, France
Main Commodities: Foods, Beverages, Transport Equipment, Chemicals, Petroleum Products

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $661 million (2021)
Gold Reserves: Not Available

  • GDP (Current US$):$3,318,716,359. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): . It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 37.90%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $1.32. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 10.30%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Noun: Djiboutian(s)

Adjective: Djiboutian

2. Ethnic Groups

Somali: 60%

Afar: 35%

Other (Arab, Ethiopian, European): 5%

3. Religions

Sunni Muslim: 94%

Christian: 6%

4. Age Structure

0-14 years: 29.43%

15-64 years: 66.79%

65 years and over: 3.78%

5. Dependency Ratios

Total Dependency Ratio: 49.5

Youth Dependency Ratio: 44.1

Elderly Dependency Ratio: 5.4

6. Median Age

Total: 24.7 years

Male: 23.9 years

Female: 25.5 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity Rate: 13.5%

Alcohol Consumption: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year

Tobacco Use: 16.2% of adults (aged 15+)

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 66.6. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 70%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:21.47. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 2.73. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 48.2%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 758,549. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):20.40%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Djiboutian Armed Forces consist of the following main branches:

  • Army: The Djibouti National Army comprises infantry units, an air defense battalion, a special forces unit, and other support elements.
  • Navy: The Djiboutian Navy is a small coastal defense force with a few patrol boats.
  • Air Force: The Djibouti Air Force operates a small number of transport and utility aircraft.

The National Police and the National Gendarmerie are responsible for maintaining internal security.

Military Expenditures

Djibouti’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2017: 4.0%
  • 2018: 3.8%
  • 2019: 3.7%
  • 2020: 3.6%
  • 2021: 3.5%

Djibouti ranks among the top military spenders globally relative to its GDP.

Personnel Strengths

Djibouti has approximately 37,000 active-duty military personnel, with the following breakdown:

  • Army: 25,000
  • Navy: 4,500
  • Air Force: 1,000
  • National Gendarmerie: 6,500

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Djibouti’s military equipment primarily consists of imported armored vehicles, artillery, and small arms. The country has acquired some equipment from France, the United States, and other partners. There are no major ongoing or planned acquisitions or development programs.

Military Service Age and Obligation

The voluntary military service age is 18 years. There is no mandatory military service obligation in Djibouti.

Military Deployments

Djibouti has no significant overseas military deployments. However, it hosts several foreign military bases, including:

Djibouti contributes troops to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan (UNAMID).

Strategic Military Notes

Djibouti’s defense strategy focuses on protecting its territorial integrity, securing its borders, and maintaining internal stability. The military plays a crucial role in supporting the country’s strategic location as a regional hub for international military operations.

Djibouti has close military partnerships and hosting agreements with several major powers, including the United States, France, and China, reflecting its geostrategic importance in the Horn of Africa region.

  • Armed Forces Size: 10500. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.22
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 60.20%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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