Quick facts
Ethiopia population overview
Ethiopia is the 2nd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 137,180,402 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 9,314 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 4,156,566 births (30.3 per 1,000 people) and 781,928 deaths (5.7 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 27,436 people. The infant mortality rate is 29.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 21,376,693 in 1960 to 135,472,051 in 2025 — a change of +533.7%, or +2.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 68.1 years; women have on average 3.9 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 38.8% of residents are under 15 and 3.3% are 65 or older (2025); 24.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Addis Ababa. Ethiopia covers 1,136,240 km², giving a population density of about 123 people per km². GDP was $126.36B in 2025 — about $933 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Ethiopia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 139,893,468 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 137,180,402 |
| World rank | #10 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #2 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 1.7% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.5% |
| Births per year est. | 4,156,566 |
| Deaths per year est. | 781,928 |
| Net migration per year est. | +27,436 |
| Birth rate | 30.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 29.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 100.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 68.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 24.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,136,240 km² |
| Population density | 123 per km² |
| Capital | Addis Ababa |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $126.36B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $933 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Ethiopia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 139,893,468 | – | – |
| 2025 | 135,472,051 | +3,412,284 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 132,059,767 | +3,368,075 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 128,691,692 | +3,307,405 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 125,384,287 | +3,245,699 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 122,138,588 | +3,220,917 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 118,917,671 | +15,050,536 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 103,867,135 | +13,328,621 | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 90,538,514 | +12,171,044 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 78,367,470 | +10,955,976 | +3.1% |
| 2000 | 67,411,494 | +9,874,159 | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 57,537,335 | +9,927,580 | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 47,609,755 | +7,767,619 | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 39,842,136 | +5,413,622 | +3% |
| 1980 | 34,428,514 | +2,705,262 | +1.7% |
| 1975 | 31,723,252 | +3,894,124 | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 27,829,128 | +3,518,516 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 24,310,612 | +2,933,919 | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 21,376,693 | – | – |
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 Ethiopia
Population over time
- From 21,376,693 in 1960 to 139,893,468 today — up 554.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.6 years (2024), up 28 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.9 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 31.5 births vs 5.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 25.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 38.8% of the population is under 15 and 3.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 19.36 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.15 t in 2024, vs 0.04 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 382.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 3.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 90.6% of final energy in 2021 (-5.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 14.9% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 19% to 14.9% since 1993 — roughly 46,684 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 24.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 7.1% in 1960 (+17 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 8.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 973 m³ in 2022, down 57.2% since 1993.
Economy
- GDP: $126.36B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 103.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $933 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 13.2% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 21.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 65.1 per 100 people (2024).
Ethiopia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ethiopia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Ethiopia has an estimated population of 139,893,468. The United Nations estimated 137,180,402 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Ethiopia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.5% per year — roughly 9,314 more people every day. Each year there are about 4,156,566 births and 781,928 deaths, with net migration of +27,436.
What is the population density of Ethiopia?
About 123 people per square kilometre: 139,893,468 people living on 1,136,240 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Ethiopia?
The median age is 19.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 68.1 years. 38.8% of the population is under 15 and 3.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Ethiopia rank by population?
Ethiopia is the 10th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 2nd in Africa, with 1.7% of the global population.
How has the population of Ethiopia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 21,376,693; by 2025 it had grown to 135,472,051 (+533.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Nigeria
Egypt
DR Congo
Tanzania
Mexico
Russia
Japan
PhilippinesSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.5%); 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.