Ethiopia’s current population is about 115 million and is expected to surpass 200 million by the end of 2049. Ethiopia’s population is growing about 2.7% annually with no projected peak year or period of decline.
The birth rate in Ethiopia is 36 births per 1,000 people. The fertility rate is 4.1 births per woman. Religion plays a major role in Ethiopia’s high birth rate, as well as the lack of contraceptives.
The disproportionate population increase has hindered the economy’s ability to grow and develop at a more rapid pace due to the increased need for more resources. Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to its rapid population upsurge.
Ethiopia is a nation that has been beset by hunger and poverty for most of its long history. A land where child starvation and subsequent death have been prevalent for such a long time requires assistance from the more privileged and prosperous nations of the world. It is the responsibility of all members of the peaceful international community to step in with more rigor and determination to empower the Ethiopians. This population has proven to be one of the strongest on the face of the earth, having endured massive hardships. If it is given a little assistance, Ethiopia will be able to build on the strength of its inhabitants in order to increase the strength of the nation itself.
Ethiopia is currently one of the fastest growing countries in the world, with a growth rate of 3.02% per year. If Ethiopia follows its current rate of growth, its population will double in the next 30 years, hitting 210 million by 2060. Most of the world's population growth in the next 40-50 years is expected to come from Africa, and Ethiopia will be a large part of the growth.
| Ethiopia Population (as of 10/15/2024) | 133,049,476 |
| Last UN Estimate (July 1, 2024) | 132,060,000 |
| Births per Day | 11,378 |
| Deaths per Day | 2,126 |
| Migrations per Day | 82 |
| Net Change per Day | 9,335 |
| Population Change Since Jan. 1 | 2,688,480 |
Net increase of 1 person every 9 seconds
Population estimates based on interpolation of data from World Population Prospects
| One birth every 8 seconds | |
| One death every 41 seconds | |
| One immigrant every 17.57 minutes | |
| Net gain of one person every 9 seconds |
City | 2024 Pop. |
|---|---|
| Addis Ababa | 2,757,729 |
| Dire Dawa | 252,279 |
| Mek'ele | 215,546 |
| Nazret | 213,995 |
| Bahir Dar | 168,899 |
| Gondar | 153,914 |
| Dese | 136,056 |
| Hawassa | 133,097 |
| Jimma | 128,306 |
| Bishoftu | 104,215 |
The surface area in Ethiopia is currently at 1,104,300 km² (or 426,372.6137 miles square). Ethiopia has a population density of 83 people per square mile (214/square mile), which ranks 123rd in the world.
The largest city and capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, or Addis Abeba, which has an estimated population of 3.6 million in the city proper and a metro population of more than 4.6 million. Being as old as two millenniums, its cultures and traditions hold family as a significant part of Ethiopian life, sometimes even surpassing the significance their careers or businesses might have.
Other major cities include Adama (324,000), Gondar (324,000), Mek'ele (324,000), and Hawassa (302,000).
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 132,060,000 | 2.67% | 132 | 10 | 91 |
| 2023 | 128,692,000 | 2.7% | 129 | 11 | 92 |
| 2020 | 118,918,000 | 2.75% | 119 | 12 | 95 |
| 2019 | 115,737,000 | 2.73% | 116 | 12 | 95 |
| 2018 | 112,664,000 | 2.73% | 113 | 12 | 97 |
| 2017 | 109,666,000 | 2.76% | 110 | 12 | 98 |
| 2015 | 103,867,000 | 2.79% | 104 | 13 | 104 |
| 2010 | 90,538,500 | 2.93% | 91 | 13 | 109 |
| 2005 | 78,367,500 | 3.06% | 78 | 16 | 117 |
| 2000 | 67,411,500 | 3.22% | 67 | 16 | 121 |
| 1995 | 57,537,300 | 3.86% | 58 | 21 | 131 |
| 1990 | 47,609,800 | 3.63% | 48 | 23 | 136 |
| 1985 | 39,842,100 | 2.96% | 40 | 24 | 139 |
| 1980 | 34,428,500 | 1.65% | 34 | 26 | 142 |
| 1975 | 31,723,300 | 2.65% | 32 | 26 | 138 |
| 1970 | 27,829,100 | 2.74% | 28 | 26 | 137 |
| 1965 | 24,310,600 | 2.61% | 24 | 26 | 139 |
| 1960 | 21,376,700 | 1.94% | 21 | 27 | 138 |
| 1955 | 19,419,800 | 1.91% | 19 | 26 | 138 |
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 132,060,000 | 2.67% | 132 | 10 | 91 |
| 2025 | 135,472,000 | 2.64% | 135 | 10 | 92 |
| 2030 | 152,855,000 | 2.44% | 153 | 9 | 85 |
| 2035 | 170,533,000 | 2.21% | 171 | 9 | 80 |
| 2040 | 188,451,000 | 2.02% | 188 | 9 | 76 |
| 2045 | 206,674,000 | 1.86% | 207 | 9 | 74 |
| 2050 | 225,022,000 | 1.72% | 225 | 7 | 69 |
| 2055 | 243,111,000 | 1.56% | 243 | 7 | 64 |
| 2060 | 260,708,000 | 1.41% | 261 | 8 | 59 |
| 2065 | 277,696,000 | 1.27% | 278 | 8 | 55 |
| 2070 | 293,791,000 | 1.13% | 294 | 8 | 54 |
| 2075 | 309,058,000 | 1.02% | 309 | 8 | 51 |
| 2080 | 323,238,000 | 0.9% | 323 | 7 | 49 |
| 2085 | 336,129,000 | 0.78% | 336 | 7 | 47 |
| 2090 | 347,651,000 | 0.68% | 348 | 7 | 45 |
| 2095 | 357,996,000 | 0.59% | 358 | 7 | 43 |
19.8
Total
19.6
Male
20.1
Female
There are people over age 18 in Ethiopia.
Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2017 | November 2017 |
| 2007 | 7 June 2007 |
| 1994 | 11 October 1994 |
With one of the highest poverty levels in the world, Ethiopia is considered by many to be one of the most under-developed nations in the world. But within its African boundaries lies a nation filled with a rich culture and heritage. Bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia.
Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the continent of Africa and the second-most populous country of Africa after Nigeria. This estimate of how many people live in Ethiopia is based on the most recent United Nations projections, and makes Ethiopia the 14th most populous country in the world. The most recent census in 2007 found an official population of 73.7 million.
Ethiopia is home to various ethnicities, predominantly the Oromo at 34.4% of the country's population and the Amhara, who account for 27% of the population. Other major ethnic groups include the Somali (6.2%), Tigray (6.1%), Sidama (4%), Gurage (2.5%), Welayta (2.3%), Afar (1.7%), Hadiya (1.7%), and Gamo (1.5%).
In 2009, Ethiopia had an estimated 135,000 asylum seekers and refugees, mostly from Somalia (64,000), Eritrea (42,000) and Sudan (23,000). The government requires refugees to live in designated refugee camps. According to a 2013 report, the number of refugees hosted by Ethiopia has grown to 680,000.
Ethiopia has close ties with all three major Abrahamic religions, and it was the first in the region to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century. Christians account for 63% of the country's population, with 44% belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Ethiopia has the first Hijra in Islamic history and the oldest Muslim settlement on the continent. Muslims account for 34% of the population.
Despite its wealth in culture, Ethiopia, unfortunately, does not suffer the same fate economically. With a significantly agriculture-based economy, it is not surprising that in today's technologically thriving world, Ethiopia has one of the lowest incomes per capita. Its reliance on domestic investment restricts foreign investment, which could otherwise account for a comparatively successful economy. However, improvement in agricultural practices has shown a decrease in the level of starvation that the country had been previously accustomed to. The GDP is also increasing, showing a 7% increase in 2014. The composition of the labor force is almost 40%, accounting for another step toward progress. However, only if the conditions of the average Ethiopian get better will the country be able to witness a better tomorrow.
The median age in Ethiopia is approximately 17.9 years of age. 60% of the population in Ethiopia is under the age of 25.
In terms of access to clean drinking water and sanitation, the numbers are still quite grim in this country. According to the World Factbook, only 57% of the country has improved access to clean drinking water, while 42% still struggle to find clean water. Only 28% of the population has access to improved sanitation services, while 72% struggle to maintain sanitation. This likely contributes greatly to the very high degree of risk with transmittable diseases and illnesses in the area.
Only 49% of the population over 15 years of age is literate and many children only attend school for 8 or 9 years.
The conditions of poverty entail deterioration in health for many of Ethiopia's inhabitants. The most common diseases that cause mortality among many Ethiopians are AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and various communicable diseases that occur due to improper sanitation and malnutrition. Most women give birth to children outside of the vicinity of hospitals. Often the mothers are only attended to by an elderly midwife. The mortality rate of mothers while giving birth is high. Various organizations, governmental and non-governmental, seek to improve the deplorable health conditions in Ethiopia. The World Health Organization is working to initiate a healthy Ethiopia. Low literacy levels also support the inferior health conditions. Therefore, it is important to provide the Ethiopians with adequate knowledge regarding common diseases and their appropriate medication and cure. The empowerment of women could also help achieve improvements in the circumstances pertaining to the well-being of Ethiopians.