Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 24.6% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Ethiopia recorded 24.6% for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 21.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia peaked at 24.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2.4%, in 1950.
Ethiopia ranks 161st of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.4% | — |
| 1955 | 3.4% | +40.2% |
| 1960 | 4.4% | +29.3% |
| 1965 | 6.2% | +42.6% |
| 1970 | 8.9% | +43.9% |
| 1975 | 14.6% | +62.8% |
| 1980 | 12.7% | -12.5% |
| 1985 | 14.7% | +15.1% |
| 1990 | 17.0% | +16.0% |
| 1995 | 18.9% | +11.0% |
| 2000 | 20.3% | +7.3% |
| 2005 | 18.1% | -10.4% |
| 2010 | 20.3% | +11.9% |
| 2015 | 22.4% | +10.6% |
| 2020 | 24.6% | +9.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.9% | 2.4% | 3.4% | 2 |
| 1960s | 5.3% | 4.4% | 6.2% | 2 |
| 1970s | 11.7% | 8.9% | 14.6% | 2 |
| 1980s | 13.7% | 12.7% | 14.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 17.9% | 17.0% | 18.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 19.2% | 18.1% | 20.3% | 2 |
| 2010s | 21.4% | 20.3% | 22.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 24.6% | 24.6% | 24.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
- 158 Central African Republic 25.1% compare
- 159 Timor-Leste 25.0% compare
- 160 Burkina Faso 25.0% compare
- 162 French Guiana 24.0% compare
- 163 Montenegro 23.6% compare
- 164 Niger 23.5% compare
More population data for Ethiopia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4782 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.28 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4782 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2918 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.229 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.5% (2100)
- Population density 325.45 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 23.22 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.5% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate 4.7 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ethiopia was 24.6% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 24.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4% in 1950.
- How does Ethiopia rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Ethiopia ranks 161st out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.