Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Number of people living in urban and rural areas was 32.66 million people in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2025, number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia stood at 32.66 million people. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 4.7% on the previous year and up 61.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia peaked at 32.66 million people in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1.05 million people, in 1950.
That places Ethiopia 31st out of 236 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1.24 million people | 1.05 million people | 1.46 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.87 million people | 1.52 million people | 2.28 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.93 million people | 2.38 million people | 3.48 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.53 million people | 3.57 million people | 5.73 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.83 million people | 6.08 million people | 9.62 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.35 million people | 10.06 million people | 15.09 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.92 million people | 15.84 million people | 24.59 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 29.13 million people | 25.72 million people | 32.66 million people | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More population data for Ethiopia
- 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)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.91 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.91 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 1.01 million people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.91 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 3.99 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 3.74 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia?
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Ethiopia was 32.66 million people in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 32.66 million people in 2025.
- What is the lowest number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.05 million people in 1950.
- How does Ethiopia rank for number of people living in urban and rural areas?
- Ethiopia ranks 31st out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is number of people living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 61.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of people living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.