Djiboutian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, on the strait that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Its people are mainly Somali and Afar, and French and Arabic are official languages. Djiboutians in Birmingham often have family ties across the Somali diaspora.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 10,239 people living in the city had been born in Southern and Eastern African countries other than Kenya, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, a group that includes Djibouti.

Working for Birmingham

Djiboutians in Birmingham work in transport, retail, social care and community services, and many are multilingual, speaking Somali, French, Arabic and English. Those skills are valued in interpreting, customer service and international business, and young Djiboutians are studying at the city's colleges.

Healthcare, education and the skilled trades are three of the pillars of the city's economy. The NHS is one of Birmingham's biggest employers, its universities teach tens of thousands of students, and there is steady demand for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, decorators and handymen in every neighbourhood, alongside business, transport, hospitality, retail and the city's growing digital and creative industries. People from every background keep these sectors running, and the Djiboutian community shares in that effort.

Culture and community life

Djiboutian culture shares much with Somali culture, including poetry, music and hospitality. Eid is the highlight of the year, and dishes such as skoudehkaris, a spiced rice dish, are served at family gatherings. Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa, is a proud national landmark.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Djiboutian community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.