Ethiopia is an African country located on the East Coast of the continent. It is famous for its ancient culture, diverse tribal composition and amazing nature. But one of the most important and interesting aspects of this country is its population.
According to the latest official data, Ethiopia’s population is over 114 million. This makes it the second most populous country in Africa, second only to Nigeria. Moreover, projections say that Ethiopia’s population could reach 190 million by 2050, which would make it one of the most populous countries in the world.
The population structure of Ethiopia is also of interest. More than 80% of the population is Ethiopian, belonging to various ethnic groups. Major groups include Oromos, Amharas, Tigrayans and Somalis. Each of these groups has its own unique culture, traditions and language.
Population of Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s population structure is characterized by a high level of youth. More than half of the country’s population is under 25 years of age. This creates additional challenges for the government in the areas of health, education and employment.
- The largest city in Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, the capital of the country. About 5 million inhabitants live here.
- There are also several other large cities in Ethiopia with a population of more than 1 million people. These include Dire Dawa, Mekele, Nazret, Bahir Dar and Jimma.
The majority of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural areas, where they are engaged in agriculture. There are a large number of ethnic groups in the country, each of which has its own traditions and customs. The dominant ethnic group is the Oromo, their share is about 34% of the total population. Other major ethnic groups include Amharas, Somalis, Tigreans and others.
Ethiopia Population
According to the latest official data, the population of Ethiopia is approximately 117 million people. This makes the country the second most populous in Africa after Nigeria.
The population structure of Ethiopia can be described as young. Most of the population (about 70%) is in the age group under 30 years. The average age of the population is about 19 years.
The majority of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural areas. About 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture. About 20% of the population lives in cities.
Over the past decades, Ethiopia’s population has continued to grow at a rapid pace. It is predicted that by the middle of the 21st century the country’s population could reach 200 million people.
| Year | Population (millions) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 67.8 |
| 2010 | 88.0 |
| 2020 | 117.0 |
Ethiopia’s cities are also experiencing population growth. The country’s capital, Addis Ababa, is the largest city in Ethiopia and one of the largest cities in Africa. At the beginning of 2020, the population of Addis Ababa was about 3.4 million people.
Population growth trends
Ethiopia’s population continues to show impressive growth rates. According to the latest data announced by the government, the country’s population has exceeded 110 million and continues to increase.
This high level of population growth is leading to a rapid increase in the number of cities and urban settlements in the country. Ethiopia currently has several metropolitan areas, including Addis Ababa, the capital of the country, which is one of the largest cities in Africa.
The growing population creates great challenges in the provision of housing, jobs, and social and infrastructure services. The Ethiopian government is actively working to address these issues by taking measures to develop the economy and improve the quality of life of its citizens.
However, despite the positive changes, the trend of rapid population growth requires further attention and efforts from the government and international organizations. This will ensure the sustainable development of the country and improve the well-being of all its citizens.
Regional population distribution
Ethiopia’s population is divided into nine regional states, also known as kilil. These regions have different population densities and different shares of the country’s total population.
| Region | Area (thousand km²) | Population (millions) | Share of total Ethiopian population (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oromia | 353.632 | 34.6 | 34.1 |
| Amhara | 154,709 | 22.7 | 22.3 |
| Somalia | 279.252 | 10.4 | 10.2 |
| Tigray | 50,079 | 6.1 | 5.9 |
| Sidama | 10,975 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Gambela | 29,782 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Begemedo | 23,948 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Garya | 25,802 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Dire Dawa | 32,000 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
The most populated regions of Ethiopia are Oromia and Amhara, which together make up about 56.4% of the country’s total population. A smaller share of the population is found in Garyu, Dire Dawa and Jigjige.
Population structure of Ethiopia
The northern region of Ethiopia consists of three main cities: Mekele, Bahran and Axum. About 30% of the country’s population lives in this region. The predominant religion here is Orthodox Christianity, and the population is mainly engaged in agriculture.
The Central Region of Ethiopia is the most populous region of the country, home to about 47% of Ethiopia’s population. The capital and largest city of the country is Addis Ababa. The region has a strong industrial and service sector, which creates many jobs. In addition, the population of this region has a higher level of education compared to other regions.
The Southern Ethiopia region is divided into several zones with Hawassa as its capital. This region is home to about 23% of the population, and most of the population is engaged in traditional agriculture. The population of this region is distinguished by special traditions and culture inherent in an ethnic group indigenous to this region.
| Region | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Northern region | thirty% |
| central region | 47% |
| Southern Ethiopia Region | 23% |
Thus, Ethiopia’s population has a diverse structure determined by factors such as geographical distribution, religion, economic development and cultural characteristics.
Ethnic composition of the population
The largest ethnic group in Ethiopia is the Oromo, who make up about 34.5% of the country’s population. They live in the central and western regions of Ethiopia and speak the Oromo language.
The second largest ethnic group is the Amharas, who make up about 27% of the population. Amharas live in the central and northern parts of the country and speak the Amhara language.
Other significant ethnic groups in Ethiopia include the Tigre (about 6.1%), Sidama (about 4%), Somali (about 3.9%), Gurs (about 2.7%), Afar (about 1.7%) and other.
The diversity of ethnic groups in Ethiopia creates a rich cultural heritage and contributes to the diversity of languages and traditions in the country.
Demographics
The structure of the population is represented by a significant percentage dominance of young people. More than 60% of Ethiopia’s population is under 25 years of age, and the average age of the population is about 19 years.
Urban development in Ethiopia is characterized by rapid urban population growth. The capital of the country is Addis Ababa with a population of about 5 million people. Large cities are also Dire Dawa, Dese, Nakamte, etc.