Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Urban and rural population projected to 2050 was 148.85 million people in 2050. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2050)
148.85 million people
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
3rd
of 238 countries
All-time high
148.85 million people
in 2050
All-time low
2.34 million people
in 1700
Years of data
133
1000–2050
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia, 1000–2050
Source: HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia is 148.85 million people, measured in 2050. That is the highest value across all 133 years on record.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 14.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia peaked at 148.85 million people in 2050 and was at its lowest, 2.34 million people, in 1700.
That places Ethiopia 3rd out of 238 countries with data for 2050, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 2.35 million people | — |
| 1100 | 2.35 million people | -0.0% |
| 1200 | 2.35 million people | -0.0% |
| 1300 | 2.35 million people | -0.0% |
| 1400 | 2.35 million people | -0.0% |
| 1500 | 2.35 million people | -0.0% |
| 1600 | 2.35 million people | -0.1% |
| 1700 | 2.34 million people | -0.3% |
| 1710 | 2.39 million people | +2.1% |
| 1720 | 2.44 million people | +2.1% |
| 1730 | 2.49 million people | +2.0% |
| 1740 | 2.54 million people | +2.0% |
| 1750 | 2.59 million people | +1.9% |
| 1760 | 2.64 million people | +1.9% |
| 1770 | 2.69 million people | +1.8% |
| 1780 | 2.74 million people | +1.8% |
| 1790 | 2.79 million people | +1.8% |
| 1800 | 2.83 million people | +1.7% |
| 1810 | 2.88 million people | +1.7% |
| 1820 | 2.93 million people | +1.6% |
| 1830 | 4.07 million people | +39.0% |
| 1840 | 5.21 million people | +28.0% |
| 1850 | 6.35 million people | +21.8% |
| 1860 | 7.48 million people | +17.8% |
| 1870 | 8.60 million people | +15.0% |
| 1880 | 9.72 million people | +13.0% |
| 1890 | 10.83 million people | +11.4% |
| 1900 | 11.93 million people | +10.2% |
| 1910 | 13.03 million people | +9.2% |
| 1920 | 14.11 million people | +8.3% |
| 1930 | 15.18 million people | +7.6% |
| 1940 | 16.24 million people | +7.0% |
| 1950 | 16.62 million people | +2.4% |
| 1951 | 16.90 million people | +1.7% |
| 1952 | 17.20 million people | +1.8% |
| 1953 | 17.51 million people | +1.8% |
| 1954 | 17.83 million people | +1.8% |
| 1955 | 18.16 million people | +1.9% |
| 1956 | 18.51 million people | +1.9% |
| 1957 | 18.82 million people | +1.7% |
| 1958 | 19.08 million people | +1.4% |
| 1959 | 19.42 million people | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 19.86 million people | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 20.32 million people | +2.3% |
| 1962 | 20.81 million people | +2.4% |
| 1963 | 21.32 million people | +2.5% |
| 1964 | 21.85 million people | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 22.41 million people | +2.6% |
| 1966 | 22.97 million people | +2.5% |
| 1967 | 23.55 million people | +2.5% |
| 1968 | 24.16 million people | +2.6% |
| 1969 | 24.80 million people | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 25.45 million people | +2.6% |
| 1971 | 26.10 million people | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 26.76 million people | +2.5% |
| 1973 | 27.43 million people | +2.5% |
| 1974 | 28.10 million people | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 28.73 million people | +2.3% |
| 1976 | 29.41 million people | +2.4% |
| 1977 | 29.92 million people | +1.7% |
| 1978 | 30.37 million people | +1.5% |
| 1979 | 30.75 million people | +1.3% |
| 1980 | 30.86 million people | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 31.57 million people | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 32.74 million people | +3.7% |
| 1983 | 33.59 million people | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 34.40 million people | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 35.29 million people | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 36.24 million people | +2.7% |
| 1987 | 37.39 million people | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 38.76 million people | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 40.15 million people | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 41.53 million people | +3.4% |
| 1991 | 43.24 million people | +4.1% |
| 1992 | 44.97 million people | +4.0% |
| 1993 | 46.45 million people | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 47.98 million people | +3.3% |
| 1995 | 49.55 million people | +3.3% |
| 1996 | 51.08 million people | +3.1% |
| 1997 | 52.62 million people | +3.0% |
| 1998 | 54.17 million people | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 55.76 million people | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 57.35 million people | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 58.98 million people | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 60.65 million people | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 62.36 million people | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 64.09 million people | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 65.84 million people | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 67.62 million people | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 69.73 million people | +3.1% |
| 2008 | 71.18 million people | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 72.91 million people | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 74.70 million people | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 76.51 million people | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 78.36 million people | +2.4% |
| 2013 | 80.11 million people | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 81.88 million people | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 83.66 million people | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 85.51 million people | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 87.39 million people | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 89.25 million people | +2.1% |
| 2019 | 91.14 million people | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 93.20 million people | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 95.14 million people | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 96.88 million people | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 99.02 million people | +2.2% |
| 2024 | 100.86 million people | +1.9% |
| 2025 | 102.81 million people | +1.9% |
| 2026 | 104.74 million people | +1.9% |
| 2027 | 106.67 million people | +1.8% |
| 2028 | 108.58 million people | +1.8% |
| 2029 | 110.47 million people | +1.7% |
| 2030 | 112.36 million people | +1.7% |
| 2031 | 114.23 million people | +1.7% |
| 2032 | 116.09 million people | +1.6% |
| 2033 | 117.92 million people | +1.6% |
| 2034 | 119.73 million people | +1.5% |
| 2035 | 121.54 million people | +1.5% |
| 2036 | 123.34 million people | +1.5% |
| 2037 | 125.13 million people | +1.4% |
| 2038 | 126.91 million people | +1.4% |
| 2039 | 128.70 million people | +1.4% |
| 2040 | 130.50 million people | +1.4% |
| 2041 | 132.29 million people | +1.4% |
| 2042 | 134.08 million people | +1.4% |
| 2043 | 135.89 million people | +1.4% |
| 2044 | 137.72 million people | +1.3% |
| 2045 | 139.54 million people | +1.3% |
| 2046 | 141.37 million people | +1.3% |
| 2047 | 143.23 million people | +1.3% |
| 2048 | 145.10 million people | +1.3% |
| 2049 | 146.97 million people | +1.3% |
| 2050 | 148.85 million people | +1.3% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 148.85 million people is above the median for low income countries, which is 16.82 million people, 8.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 148.85 million people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.62 million people, 14.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | +39.0% | 2.93 million people | 4.07 million people |
| 1840 | +28.0% | 4.07 million people | 5.21 million people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1100s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1200s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1300s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1400s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1500s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1600s | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 2.35 million people | 1 |
| 1700s | 2.34 million people | 2.34 million people | 2.34 million people | 1 |
| 1710s | 2.39 million people | 2.39 million people | 2.39 million people | 1 |
| 1720s | 2.44 million people | 2.44 million people | 2.44 million people | 1 |
| 1730s | 2.49 million people | 2.49 million people | 2.49 million people | 1 |
| 1740s | 2.54 million people | 2.54 million people | 2.54 million people | 1 |
| 1750s | 2.59 million people | 2.59 million people | 2.59 million people | 1 |
| 1760s | 2.64 million people | 2.64 million people | 2.64 million people | 1 |
| 1770s | 2.69 million people | 2.69 million people | 2.69 million people | 1 |
| 1780s | 2.74 million people | 2.74 million people | 2.74 million people | 1 |
| 1790s | 2.79 million people | 2.79 million people | 2.79 million people | 1 |
| 1800s | 2.83 million people | 2.83 million people | 2.83 million people | 1 |
| 1810s | 2.88 million people | 2.88 million people | 2.88 million people | 1 |
| 1820s | 2.93 million people | 2.93 million people | 2.93 million people | 1 |
| 1830s | 4.07 million people | 4.07 million people | 4.07 million people | 1 |
| 1840s | 5.21 million people | 5.21 million people | 5.21 million people | 1 |
| 1850s | 6.35 million people | 6.35 million people | 6.35 million people | 1 |
| 1860s | 7.48 million people | 7.48 million people | 7.48 million people | 1 |
| 1870s | 8.60 million people | 8.60 million people | 8.60 million people | 1 |
| 1880s | 9.72 million people | 9.72 million people | 9.72 million people | 1 |
| 1890s | 10.83 million people | 10.83 million people | 10.83 million people | 1 |
| 1900s | 11.93 million people | 11.93 million people | 11.93 million people | 1 |
| 1910s | 13.03 million people | 13.03 million people | 13.03 million people | 1 |
| 1920s | 14.11 million people | 14.11 million people | 14.11 million people | 1 |
| 1930s | 15.18 million people | 15.18 million people | 15.18 million people | 1 |
| 1940s | 16.24 million people | 16.24 million people | 16.24 million people | 1 |
| 1950s | 18.00 million people | 16.62 million people | 19.42 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 22.20 million people | 19.86 million people | 24.80 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 28.30 million people | 25.45 million people | 30.75 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 35.10 million people | 30.86 million people | 40.15 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 48.73 million people | 41.53 million people | 55.76 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 65.07 million people | 57.35 million people | 72.91 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 82.85 million people | 74.70 million people | 91.14 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 101.84 million people | 93.20 million people | 110.47 million people | 10 |
| 2030s | 120.59 million people | 112.36 million people | 128.70 million people | 10 |
| 2040s | 138.67 million people | 130.50 million people | 146.97 million people | 10 |
| 2050s | 148.85 million people | 148.85 million people | 148.85 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
- 1 India 956.42 million people compare
- 2 Pakistan 196.75 million people compare
- 4 China 129.72 million people compare
- 5 Democratic Republic of Congo 101.50 million people compare
- 6 Bangladesh 87.41 million people compare
More population data for Ethiopia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2918 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4782 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 23.22 million people (2100)
- Population density 325.45 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.5% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.229 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.7589 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia?
- Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Ethiopia was 148.85 million people in 2050, according to HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 148.85 million people in 2050.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.34 million people in 1700.
- How does Ethiopia rank for urban and rural population projected to 2050?
- Ethiopia ranks 3rd out of 238 countries with data for 2050.
- Is urban and rural population projected to 2050 rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population projected to 2050. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 133 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of people living in rural areas, combining UN estimates and projections with modeled historical data.