An assessment of digital inclusion, institutional identity, and food insecurity within Somalia’s education-precarity trap

Abstract Background In fragile and conflict-affected states like Somalia, traditional developmental pillars such as human capital and institutional formalization are often theorized as pathways to resilience, yet their empirical efficacy remains contested. Objective This study examines the associations between digital inclusion, institutional identity, formal education, and household food insecurity in Somalia. Methods Utilizing the Somali Integrated Household Budget Survey (SIHBS; N = 19,097), we employ a weighted Quasi-Poisson regression to analyze the relationship between the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and key socio-economic indicators. Results The findings reveal an “education-precarity trap” where university-educated household heads are associated with higher food insecurity (β = 0.176, p <.001) compared to those with no formal schooling. Conversely, IDP status (β=−0.391, p <.001) and digital inclusion (β=−0.061, p <.05) are linked to improved food security levels. Conclusion The study suggests that in volatile economies, digital connectivity and targeted humanitarian aid are stronger predictors of food security than formal education or institutional documentation.