Civil registration of vital events during the life course of individuals (births, marriages, deaths) is a major function of government that establishes the identity and civil status for ensuring human rights and access to services. Vital statistics from registration records are also useful for government policy and planning purposes, and such data are directly related to achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

However, owing to disruptions to government services during the civil war, there is a need to reinstate Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems across the country, so that both individuals as well as society could derive the related benefits from such services. To guide this process, UNFPA commissioned this CRVS Country Profile for Somalia which documents the activities currently being undertaken for CRVS development in the country, and makes recommendations regarding the next steps and priorities for implementation.