Quick facts
Eritrea population overview
Eritrea is the 40th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 3,645,392 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 207 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 104,258 births (28.6 per 1,000 people) and 21,508 deaths (5.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 7,291 people. The infant mortality rate is 24 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 972,547 in 1960 to 3,607,003 in 2025 — a change of +270.9%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.4 years; women have on average 3.7 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 37.6% of residents are under 15 and 4.3% are 65 or older (2025); 34.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Asmara. Eritrea covers 121,766 km², giving a population density of about 30.4 people per km². GDP was $2.07B in 2011 — about $689 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Eritrea population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 3,705,569 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 3,645,392 |
| World rank | #132 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #40 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.045% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.1% |
| Births per year est. | 104,258 |
| Deaths per year est. | 21,508 |
| Net migration per year est. | -7,291 |
| Birth rate | 28.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 24 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 34.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 121,766 km² |
| Population density | 30.4 per km² |
| Capital | Asmara |
| GDP (current US$) 2011 | $2.07B |
| GDP per capita 2011 | $689 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Eritrea population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 3,705,569 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3,607,003 | +71,400 | +2% |
| 2024 | 3,535,603 | +65,213 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 3,470,390 | +60,943 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 3,409,447 | +59,264 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 3,350,183 | +58,912 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 3,291,271 | +185,725 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 3,105,546 | +160,360 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 2,945,186 | +283,971 | +2% |
| 2005 | 2,661,215 | +414,184 | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 2,247,031 | +221,764 | +2.1% |
| 1995 | 2,025,267 | -7,470 | -0.1% |
| 1990 | 2,032,737 | +224,921 | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 1,807,816 | +202,019 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 1,605,797 | +197,587 | +2.7% |
| 1975 | 1,408,210 | +164,757 | +2.5% |
| 1970 | 1,243,453 | +145,118 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 1,098,335 | +125,788 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 972,547 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Eritrea
Population over time
- From 972,547 in 1960 to 3,705,569 today — up 281%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 68.9 years (2024), up 31.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.7 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 28.7 births vs 6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 22.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 37.6% of the population is under 15 and 4.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.78 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.92 Mt in 1996 — down 15.2% since.
- Per person: 0.22 t in 2024, vs 0.27 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 292.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 40.1% since 1992.
- Renewables supplied 80.7% of final energy in 2021 (-9.2 points since 1992).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 8.6% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 11.3% to 8.6% since 1993 — roughly 3,242 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 34.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 10.4% in 1960 (+24.1 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 20.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 821 m³ in 2022, down 45.6% since 1993.
Economy
- GDP: $2.07B in 2011.
- Nominal GDP is up 174.5% since 2001.
- That works out to $689 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
Internet & mobile
- 14.3% of people used the internet in 2020.
- Mobile subscriptions: 59.1 per 100 people (2022).
Eritrea in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Eritrea in 2026?
As of October 2026, Eritrea has an estimated population of 3,705,569. The United Nations estimated 3,645,392 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Eritrea growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.1% per year — roughly 207 more people every day. Each year there are about 104,258 births and 21,508 deaths, with net migration of -7,291.
What is the population density of Eritrea?
About 30.4 people per square kilometre: 3,705,569 people living on 121,766 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Eritrea?
The median age is 19.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.4 years. 37.6% of the population is under 15 and 4.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Eritrea rank by population?
Eritrea is the 132nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 40th in Africa, with 0.045% of the global population.
How has the population of Eritrea changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 972,547; by 2025 it had grown to 3,607,003 (+270.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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UruguaySources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.