Demographics of Ethiopia
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The demographics of Ethiopia encompass the demographic features of inhabitants in Ethiopia, including ethnicity, languages, population density, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population. The Official Ethiopian Statistics Services put the Ethiopian population for 2024 at 109 million, around 20 million less than UN Numbers.
Density109.3 people per.sq.km
Growth rate2.5% (2021) (22nd)
Birth rate30.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
| Demographics of Ethiopia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Population | 120,283,026[1][2] |
| Density | 109.3 people per.sq.km |
| Growth rate | 2.5% (2021) (22nd) |
| Birth rate | 30.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) |
| Death rate | 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) |
| Life expectancy | 68.25 years (2022 est.) |
| • male | 66.12 years (2022 est.) |
| • female | 70.44 years (2022 est.) |
| Fertility rate | 3.81 children born/woman (2025 est.) |
| Infant mortality | 34.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021) |
| Immigrant share | 0.9% (2024)[3] |
| Sex ratio | |
| Total | 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) |
| At birth | 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.) |
| Under 15 | 1.00 male(s)/female (2009 est.) |
| 15–64 years | 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) |
| 65 and over | 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) |
| Nationality | |
| Major ethnic | See Ethnic Groups of Ethiopia |
| Language | |
| Official | See Languages of Ethiopia |
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000,000 | — |
| 1500 | 6,000,000 | +0.12% |
| 1900 | 10,742,000 | +0.15% |
| 2000 | 63,000,000 | +1.78% |
| 2011 | 85,555,555 | +2.82% |
| 2012 | 84,320,987 | −1.44% |
| 2013 | 86,613,986 | +2.72% |
Source: Central Statistical Agency (CSA)[4]
Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world.[5] Its total population has grown from 38.1 million in 1983 to 109.5 million in 2018.[6] The population was only about nine million in the 19th century.[7] The 2007 Population and Housing Census results show that the population of Ethiopia grew at an average annual rate of 2.6% between 1994 and 2007, down from 2.8% during the period 1983–1994. As of 2015, the population growth rate is among the top ten countries in the world.[8] According to UN estimations, life expectancy in Ethiopia had improved over time, with male life expectancy reported to be 56 years and for women 60 years.[9]
UN estimates
According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects[1][2], the total population was 120,283,026 in 2021, compared to 18,434,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 41.5%, 55.8% was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 3.3% was 65 years or older. The average age was 25.1.[10]
| Total population | Population aged 0–14 (%) | Population aged 15–64 (%) | Population aged 65+ (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 18 434 000 | 44.1 | 52.9 | 3 |
| 1955 | 20 298 000 | 43.9 | 53.3 | 2.8 |
| 1960 | 22 553 000 | 43.5 | 53.8 | 2.6 |
| 1965 | 25 480 000 | 43.5 | 53.9 | 2.6 |
| 1970 | 28 959 000 | 44.1 | 53.3 | 2.7 |
| 1975 | 32 959 000 | 44.5 | 52.7 | 2.8 |
| 1980 | 35 426 000 | 44.5 | 52.6 | 2.9 |
| 1985 | 41 078 000 | 44.6 | 52.6 | 2.9 |
| 1990 | 48 333 000 | 45.4 | 52.1 | 2.9 |
| 1995 | 57 042 000 | 45.9 | 51.2 | 2.9 |
| 2000 | 65 578 000 | 45.9 | 51.1 | 3.0 |
| 2005 | 74 264 000 | 44.5 | 52.4 | 3.1 |
| 2010 | 82 950 000 | 41.5 | 55.2 | 3.3 |
Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 29.V.2007): [11]
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 37 217 130 | 36 533 802 | 73 750 932 | 100 |
| 0–4 | 5 482 792 | 5 314 230 | 10 797 022 | 14.64 |
| 5–9 | 6 106 788 | 5 874 976 | 11 981 764 | 16.25 |
| 10–14 | 5 412 324 | 4 999 913 | 10 412 237 | 14.12 |
| 15–19 | 4 454 710 | 4 293 338 | 8 748 048 | 11.86 |
| 20–24 | 3 098 338 | 3 303 747 | 6 402 085 | 8.68 |
| 25–29 | 2 622 759 | 3 039 429 | 5 662 188 | 7.68 |
| 30–34 | 2 088 208 | 2 131 858 | 4 220 066 | 5.72 |
| 35–39 | 1 827 296 | 1 949 346 | 3 776 642 | 5.12 |
| 40–44 | 1 464 529 | 1 408 451 | 2 872 980 | 3.90 |
| 45–49 | 1 150 017 | 1 097 287 | 2 247 304 | 3.05 |
| 50–54 | 928 294 | 962 472 | 1 890 766 | 2.56 |
| 55–59 | 634 053 | 536 967 | 1 171 020 | 1.59 |
| 60–64 | 646 359 | 588 641 | 1 235 000 | 1.67 |
| 65–69 | 446 242 | 359 019 | 805 261 | 1.09 |
| 70–74 | 359 897 | 316 663 | 676 560 | 0.92 |
| 75–79 | 203 843 | 146 333 | 350 176 | 0.47 |
| 80–84 | 159 786 | 127 691 | 287 477 | 0.39 |
| 85–89 | 62 001 | 38 195 | 100 196 | 0.14 |
| 90–94 | 38 185 | 26 357 | 64 542 | 0.09 |
| 95+ | 30 709 | 18 889 | 49 598 | 0.07 |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
| 0–14 | 17 001 904 | 16 189 119 | 33 191 023 | 45.00 |
| 15–64 | 18 914 563 | 19 311 536 | 38 226 099 | 51.83 |
| 65+ | 1 300 663 | 1 033 147 | 2 333 810 | 3.16 |
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2020) (Estimates considering also the results of the 2007 Population Census.):[12]
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 50 501 054 | 50 195 689 | 100 696 744 | 100 |
| 0–4 | 6 928 657 | 6 696 036 | 13 624 693 | 13.53 |
| 5–9 | 6 556 462 | 6 386 585 | 12 943 045 | 12.85 |
| 10–14 | 5 953 639 | 5 819 250 | 11 772 889 | 11.69 |
| 15–19 | 5 590 667 | 5 450 660 | 11 041 324 | 10.96 |
| 20–24 | 5 047 253 | 4 902 329 | 9 949 582 | 9.88 |
| 25–29 | 4 406 798 | 4 348 582 | 8 755 379 | 8.69 |
| 30–34 | 3 687 268 | 3 768 246 | 7 455 512 | 7.40 |
| 35–39 | 2 990 405 | 3 135 347 | 6 125 754 | 6.08 |
| 40–44 | 2 394 320 | 2 528 749 | 4 923 071 | 4.89 |
| 45–49 | 1 843 822 | 1 962 667 | 3 806 489 | 3.78 |
| 50–54 | 1 472 263 | 1 548 292 | 3 020 553 | 3.00 |
| 55–59 | 1 156 765 | 1 177 778 | 2 334 541 | 2.32 |
| 60–64 | 883 392 | 899 303 | 1 782 694 | 1.77 |
| 65–69 | 639 745 | 643 776 | 1 283 523 | 1.27 |
| 70–74 | 444 339 | 441 554 | 885 894 | 0.88 |
| 75–79 | 276 955 | 273 976 | 550 928 | 0.55 |
| 80+ | 228 308 | 212 565 | 440 871 | 0.44 |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
| 0–14 | 19 438 758 | 18 901 871 | 38 340 629 | 38.08 |
| 15–64 | 29 472 949 | 29 721 947 | 59 194 896 | 58.79 |
| 65+ | 1 589 347 | 1 571 871 | 3 161 218 | 3.14 |
UN projections
Below are the UN's medium variant projections:[13][10]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 135,472,051 | — |
| 2030 | 147,649,901 | +1.74% |
| 2035 | 164,079,192 | +2.13% |
| 2040 | 180,415,091 | +1.92% |
| 2045 | 196,839,709 | +1.76% |
| 2050 | 213,190,071 | +1.61% |
Vital statistics
Registration of vital events in Ethiopia is incomplete. The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates: [13]
| Year | Population (thousands) | Live births (thousands) | Deaths (thousands) | Natural change (thousands) | CBR | CDR | NC | TFR | IMR | Life expectancy (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 17,710,000 | 875,000 | 494,000 | 381,000 | 49.4 | 27.9 | 21.5 | 7.35 | 199.4 | 36.35 |
| 1951 | 18,101,000 | 890,000 | 498,000 | 392,000 | 49.1 | 27.5 | 21.6 | 7.30 | 198.1 | 36.60 |
| 1952 | 18,497,000 | 899,000 | 502,000 | 397,000 | 48.6 | 27.1 | 21.5 | 7.20 | 195.4 | 36.82 |
| 1953 | 18,892,000 | 910,000 | 503,000 | 407,000 | 48.1 | 26.6 | 21.5 | 7.12 | 192.3 | 37.23 |
| 1954 | 19,292,000 | 921,000 | 505,000 | 416,000 | 47.7 | 26.2 | 21.5 | 7.05 | 189.1 | 37.54 |
| 1955 | 19,704,000 | 934,000 | 507,000 | 428,000 | 47.4 | 25.7 | 21.7 | 6.99 | 185.6 | 37.96 |
| 1956 | 20,128,000 | 951,000 | 509,000 | 442,000 | 47.2 | 25.3 | 21.9 | 6.95 | 181.9 | 38.34 |
| 1957 | 20,499,000 | 967,000 | 643,000 | 324,000 | 47.2 | 31.4 | 15.8 | 6.92 | 216.3 | 32.39 |
| 1958 | 20,817,000 | 985,000 | 636,000 | 349,000 | 47.3 | 30.5 | 16.8 | 6.90 | 211.8 | 32.94 |
| 1959 | 21,227,000 | 1,007,000 | 502,000 | 505,000 | 47.4 | 23.6 | 23.8 | 6.89 | 169.9 | 39.86 |
| 1960 | 21,740,000 | 1,032,000 | 508,000 | 524,000 | 47.5 | 23.3 | 24.1 | 6.88 | 165.8 | 40.33 |
| 1961 | 22,282,000 | 1,060,000 | 509,000 | 551,000 | 47.6 | 22.9 | 24.7 | 6.88 | 161.8 | 41.00 |
| 1962 | 22,852,000 | 1,090,000 | 516,000 | 574,000 | 47.7 | 22.6 | 25.1 | 6.88 | 158.0 | 41.40 |
| 1963 | 23,449,000 | 1,121,000 | 520,000 | 601,000 | 47.8 | 22.2 | 25.6 | 6.87 | 154.6 | 41.96 |
| 1964 | 24,074,000 | 1,157,000 | 529,000 | 628,000 | 48.0 | 22.0 | 26.1 | 6.87 | 151.6 | 42.28 |
| 1965 | 24,728,000 | 1,193,000 | 541,000 | 652,000 | 48.3 | 21.9 | 26.4 | 6.86 | 149.6 | 42.44 |
| 1966 | 25,378,000 | 1,230,000 | 607,000 | 622,000 | 48.5 | 23.9 | 24.5 | 6.87 | 160.6 | 40.15 |
| 1967 | 26,052,000 | 1,268,000 | 566,000 | 702,000 | 48.7 | 21.7 | 26.9 | 6.88 | 146.5 | 42.69 |
| 1968 | 26,779,000 | 1,308,000 | 580,000 | 728,000 | 48.8 | 21.7 | 27.2 | 6.90 | 146.2 | 42.84 |
| 1969 | 27,530,000 | 1,358,000 | 599,000 | 759,000 | 49.3 | 21.8 | 27.5 | 6.94 | 146.0 | 42.83 |
| 1970 | 28,308,000 | 1,399,000 | 618,000 | 781,000 | 49.4 | 21.8 | 27.6 | 6.98 | 145.7 | 42.82 |
| 1971 | 29,100,000 | 1,442,000 | 634,000 | 807,000 | 49.5 | 21.8 | 27.7 | 7.02 | 145.4 | 42.89 |
| 1972 | 29,891,000 | 1,481,000 | 687,000 | 794,000 | 49.5 | 23.0 | 26.6 | 7.06 | 152.0 | 41.55 |
| 1973 | 30,694,000 | 1,517,000 | 702,000 | 815,000 | 49.4 | 22.9 | 26.5 | 7.09 | 151.6 | 41.64 |
| 1974 | 31,489,000 | 1,561,000 | 783,000 | 778,000 | 49.6 | 24.9 | 24.7 | 7.12 | 163.2 | 39.45 |
| 1975 | 32,253,000 | 1,601,000 | 803,000 | 798,000 | 49.6 | 24.9 | 24.7 | 7.14 | 163.0 | 39.36 |
| 1976 | 33,062,000 | 1,644,000 | 744,000 | 900,000 | 49.7 | 22.5 | 27.2 | 7.19 | 147.9 | 41.90 |
| 1977 | 33,695,000 | 1,694,000 | 766,000 | 929,000 | 49.9 | 22.5 | 27.3 | 7.26 | 147.6 | 41.89 |
| 1978 | 34,259,000 | 1,712,000 | 774,000 | 937,000 | 49.8 | 22.5 | 27.3 | 7.30 | 147.1 | 41.90 |
| 1979 | 34,759,000 | 1,750,000 | 766,000 | 985,000 | 49.8 | 21.8 | 28.0 | 7.31 | 143.4 | 42.81 |
| 1980 | 34,945,000 | 1,764,000 | 761,000 | 1,004,000 | 49.8 | 21.5 | 28.3 | 7.33 | 141.9 | 43.22 |
| 1981 | 35,819,000 | 1,771,000 | 752,000 | 1,018,000 | 49.9 | 21.2 | 28.7 | 7.36 | 140.4 | 43.61 |
| 1982 | 37,213,000 | 1,858,000 | 782,000 | 1,076,000 | 50.0 | 21.0 | 28.9 | 7.37 | 138.6 | 43.77 |
| 1983 | 38,235,000 | 1,917,000 | 1,084,000 | 833,000 | 50.2 | 28.4 | 21.8 | 7.38 | 180.9 | 36.04 |
| 1984 | 39,203,000 | 1,985,000 | 1,088,000 | 897,000 | 50.7 | 27.8 | 22.9 | 7.40 | 177.5 | 36.43 |
| 1985 | 40,286,000 | 2,052,000 | 1,077,000 | 974,000 | 51.0 | 26.8 | 24.2 | 7.38 | 171.4 | 37.36 |
| 1986 | 41,455,000 | 2,111,000 | 1,090,000 | 1,021,000 | 51.0 | 26.4 | 24.7 | 7.36 | 167.9 | 37.81 |
| 1987 | 42,852,000 | 2,168,000 | 833,000 | 1,335,000 | 50.7 | 19.5 | 31.2 | 7.34 | 126.6 | 45.44 |
| 1988 | 44,512,000 | 2,230,000 | 877,000 | 1,353,000 | 50.3 | 19.8 | 30.5 | 7.30 | 125.1 | 45.06 |
| 1989 | 46,196,000 | 2,304,000 | 911,000 | 1,394,000 | 50.0 | 19.8 | 30.2 | 7.27 | 123.1 | 45.04 |
| 1990 | 47,878,000 | 2,389,000 | 957,000 | 1,432,000 | 50.1 | 20.1 | 30.0 | 7.24 | 122.0 | 44.56 |
| 1991 | 49,937,000 | 2,466,000 | 935,000 | 1,531,000 | 49.8 | 18.9 | 30.9 | 7.21 | 117.6 | 46.13 |
| 1992 | 52,012,000 | 2,548,000 | 950,000 | 1,598,000 | 49.1 | 18.3 | 30.8 | 7.16 | 114.3 | 46.90 |
| 1993 | 53,792,000 | 2,618,000 | 957,000 | 1,661,000 | 48.7 | 17.8 | 30.9 | 7.13 | 111.1 | 47.39 |
| 1994 | 55,620,000 | 2,677,000 | 964,000 | 1,714,000 | 48.2 | 17.3 | 30.8 | 7.08 | 107.7 | 47.86 |
| 1995 | 57,477,000 | 2,737,000 | 970,000 | 1,767,000 | 47.6 | 16.9 | 30.8 | 7.01 | 104.1 | 48.30 |
| 1996 | 59,348,000 | 2,811,000 | 968,000 | 1,843,000 | 47.4 | 16.3 | 31.1 | 6.92 | 100.5 | 48.92 |
| 1997 | 61,233,000 | 2,865,000 | 968,000 | 1,897,000 | 46.8 | 15.8 | 31.0 | 6.85 | 97.1 | 49.51 |
| 1998 | 63,136,000 | 2,895,000 | 973,000 | 1,921,000 | 45.8 | 15.4 | 30.4 | 6.75 | 93.7 | 49.93 |
| 1999 | 65,078,000 | 2,946,000 | 1,011,000 | 1,935,000 | 45.3 | 15.5 | 29.7 | 6.65 | 90.9 | 49.43 |
| 2000 | 67,032,000 | 2,984,000 | 990,000 | 1,995,000 | 44.5 | 14.8 | 29.7 | 6.56 | 87.2 | 50.54 |
| 2001 | 69,019,000 | 3,040,000 | 991,000 | 2,048,000 | 44.0 | 14.4 | 29.7 | 6.46 | 83.9 | 51.04 |
| 2002 | 71,073,000 | 3,085,000 | 992,000 | 2,092,000 | 43.4 | 14.0 | 29.4 | 6.37 | 80.3 | 51.52 |
| 2003 | 73,169,000 | 3,096,000 | 970,000 | 2,126,000 | 42.3 | 13.3 | 29.0 | 6.24 | 76.8 | 52.53 |
| 2004 | 75,301,000 | 3,138,000 | 960,000 | 2,178,000 | 41.7 | 12.7 | 28.9 | 6.11 | 73.1 | 53.24 |
| 2005 | 77,470,000 | 3,177,000 | 948,000 | 2,230,000 | 41.0 | 12.2 | 28.8 | 5.97 | 69.6 | 54.01 |
| 2006 | 79,691,000 | 3,207,000 | 920,000 | 2,287,000 | 40.2 | 11.5 | 28.7 | 5.85 | 66.3 | 55.15 |
| 2007 | 81,996,000 | 3,240,000 | 886,000 | 2,354,000 | 39.5 | 10.8 | 28.7 | 5.74 | 62.8 | 56.43 |
| 2008 | 84,357,000 | 3,245,000 | 856,000 | 2,389,000 | 38.5 | 10.1 | 28.3 | 5.57 | 59.8 | 57.59 |
| 2009 | 86,756,000 | 3,235,000 | 823,000 | 2,412,000 | 37.3 | 9.5 | 27.8 | 5.39 | 57.1 | 58.80 |
| 2010 | 89,238,000 | 3,259,000 | 803,000 | 2,456,000 | 36.5 | 9.0 | 27.5 | 5.22 | 54.4 | 59.73 |
| 2011 | 91,818,000 | 3,290,000 | 782,000 | 2,508,000 | 35.8 | 8.5 | 27.3 | 5.05 | 51.9 | 60.72 |
| 2012 | 94,451,000 | 3,289,000 | 766,000 | 2,523,000 | 34.8 | 8.1 | 26.7 | 4.88 | 49.6 | 61.54 |
| 2013 | 97,084,000 | 3,294,000 | 751,000 | 2,543,000 | 33.9 | 7.7 | 26.2 | 4.72 | 47.4 | 62.37 |
| 2014 | 99,747,000 | 3,346,000 | 748,000 | 2,598,000 | 33.6 | 7.5 | 26.1 | 4.61 | 45.2 | 62.91 |
| 2015 | 102,472,000 | 3,425,000 | 739,000 | 2,687,000 | 33.4 | 7.2 | 26.2 | 4.53 | 43.2 | 63.65 |
| 2016 | 105,293,000 | 3,507,000 | 729,000 | 2,777,000 | 33.3 | 6.9 | 26.4 | 4.47 | 41.4 | 64.39 |
| 2017 | 108,198,000 | 3,577,000 | 732,000 | 2,844,000 | 33.1 | 6.8 | 26.3 | 4.39 | 39.6 | 64.84 |
| 2018 | 111,129,000 | 3,668,000 | 730,000 | 2,937,000 | 33.0 | 6.6 | 26.4 | 4.34 | 38.0 | 65.41 |
| 2019 | 114,176,000 | 3,883,000 | 750,000 | 3,122,000 | 33.5 | 6.5 | 27.0 | 4.35 | 37.6 | 65.7 |
| 2020 | 117,298,000 | 3,961,000 | 761,000 | 3,239,000 | 33.3 | 6.4 | 27.2 | 4.27 | 36.3 | 66.0 |
| 2021 | 120,537,000 | 4,015,000 | 811,000 | 3,203,000 | 32.9 | 6.6 | 26.2 | 4.18 | 35.1 | 65.3 |
| 2022 | 123,740,000 | 4,064,000 | 767,000 | 3,288,000 | 32.4 | 6.1 | 26.2 | 4.08 | 34.0 | 66.9 |
| 2023 | 127,028,000 | 4,106,000 | 767,000 | 3,327,000 | 31.9 | 6.0 | 25.9 | 3.99 | 33.0 | 67.3 |
| 2024 | 31.5 | 5.9 | 25.6 | 3.91 | ||||||
| 2025 | 30.8 | 5.8 | 25.0 | 3.81 | ||||||
| 2026 |
CBR = crude birth rate (per 1,000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1,000); NC = natural change (per 1,000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1,000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1,000 births
Source: UN World Population Prospects
Census data on fertility
As per 2007 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia [14]
| Region | Urban TFR | Rural TFR | Total TFR (U+R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia (Country Total) | 2.220 | 4.650 | 4.160 |
| Tigray Region | 2.915 | 4.905 | 4.440 |
| Affar Region | 2.440 | 2.000 | 2.075 |
| Amhara Region | 2.135 | 4.540 | 4.175 |
| Oromia Region | 2.635 | 5.235 | 4.845 |
| Somali Region | 2.175 | 1.985 | 2.010 |
| Benishangul – Gumuz Region | 3.005 | 4.800 | 4.520 |
| S.N.N.P Region | 2.750 | 4.715 | 4.495 |
| Gambella Region | 2.725 | 2.930 | 2.885 |
| Harari Region | 1.725 | 4.725 | 2.885 |
| Addis Ababa City Administration | 1.485 | - | 1.485 |
| Dira Dawa City Administration | 2.155 | 5.455 | 2.985 |
| Region 17 | 3.210 | 2.585 | 2.845 |
| Years | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate in Ethiopia | 7.17 | 7.18 | 7.18 | 7.19 | 7.20 |
| Years | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate in Ethiopia | 7.21 | 7.21 | 7.22 | 7.23 | 7.23 | 7.24 | 7.25 | 7.26 | 7.26 | 7.27 |
| Years | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate in Ethiopia | 7.28 | 7.29 | 7.29 | 7.30 | 7.31 | 7.31 | 7.32 | 7.33 | 7.34 | 7.34 |
Demographic and health surveys
Crude birth rate (CBR), total fertility rate (TFR) and wanted fertility rate (WFR):[16]
| Year | Crude birth rate (CBR) | Total fertility rate (TFR) | Wanted fertility rate (WFR) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| total | urban | rural | total | urban | rural | total | urban | rural | |
| 2000 | 41.3 | 30.7 | 42.9 | 5.9 | 3.3 | 6.4 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 5.4 |
| 2005 | 35.7 | 23.4 | 37.3 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 4.5 |
| 2011 | 34.5 | 26.4 | 36.2 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 5.5 | 3.8 | ||
| 2016 | 31.8 | 23.9 | 33.2 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 4.0 |
| 2019 | 26.5 | 24.6 | 27.2 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 4.5 | |||
| 2024-25 | 30.1 | 31.5 | 29.6 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 3.9 |
Fertility data as of 2016 (DHS Program):[17]
| Region | Total fertility rate | Percentage of women age 15–49 currently pregnant | Mean number of children ever born to women age 40–49 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigray | 4.7 | 5.0 | 6.1 |
| Afar | 5.5 | 9.5 | 6.5 |
| Amhara | 3.7 | 5.9 | 6.2 |
| Oromiya | 5.4 | 8.3 | 6.7 |
| Somali | 7.2 | 12.9 | 7.4 |
| Benishangul-Gumuz | 4.4 | 7.3 | 6.7 |
| SNNPR | 4.4 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| Gambela | 3.5 | 5.9 | 4.9 |
| Harari | 4.1 | 9.2 | 4.3 |
| Addis Ababa | 1.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| Dire Dawa | 3.1 | 5.5 | 5.2 |
Ethnic groups
Ethiopia's population is highly diverse, containing over 80 different ethnic groups, the four largest of which are the Oromo, Amhara, Somali and Tigrayans. According to the Ethiopian national census of 2007, the Oromo are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, at 34.4% of the nation's population. The Amhara represent 27.0% of the country's inhabitants, while Somalis and Tigrayans represent 6.2% and 6.1% of the population respectively. Other prominent ethnic groups are as follows: Sidama 4.0%, Gurage 2.5%, Welayta 2.3%, Afar 1.7%, Hadiya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5% and Others 12.6%.[18]
Afroasiatic-speaking communities make up the majority of the population. Among these, Semitic speakers often collectively refer to themselves as the Habesha people. The Arabic form of this term (al-Ḥabasha) is the etymological basis of "Abyssinia", the former name of Ethiopia in English and other European languages.[19] Additionally, Nilo-Saharan-speaking ethnic minorities inhabit the southern regions of the country, particularly in areas of the Gambela Region which borders South Sudan. The largest ethnic groups among these include the Nuer and Anuak.[20] The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, being an amalgam of the main homelands of numerous ethnicities, contains over 56 indigenous ethnic groups.[21]
Languages
According to the bibliographic database Glottolog, there are 109 languages spoken in Ethiopia; meanwhile, Ethnologue lists 90 individual languages spoken in the country.[22][23] Most people in the country speak Afroasiatic languages of the Cushitic or Semitic branches, including the Oromo language, Somali, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Together, these four groups make up about three-quarters of Ethiopia's population. Other Afroasiatic languages with a significant number of speakers include the Omotic Wolayttattuwa, the Cushitic Sidamo, Afar, Hadiyya and Agaw languages, as well as the Semitic Gurage languages, Harari, Silt'e, and Argobba languages. Arabic, which also belongs to the Afroasiatic family, is likewise spoken in some areas.[24]
The principal Semitic language of the north-west and centre of the country is Amharic, which is the language of the Amhara Region. Moreover, Amharic is also one of the official working languages of Ethiopia.[25][26]
Oromo serves as one of the official working languages of Ethiopia[25][26] and is also the working language of several of the states within the Ethiopian federal system including Oromia,[27] Harar and Dire Dawa regional states and of the Oromia Zone in the Amhara Region.
Religion
Various religions are adhered to in Ethiopia. Most Christians live in the Ethiopian Highlands, whereas Muslims mainly inhabit the lowlands. Adherents of traditional faiths are primarily concentrated in the southern regions.
According to the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (2007 census), the national religious composition is Ethiopian Orthodox 43.5%, Protestantism 18.6%, Roman Catholicism 0.7%, Islam 33.9%, traditional 2.6%, and others 0.6%.[29]
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Demographics of Ethiopia.
