Ethiopia has experienced rapid population growth over the past several decades, making it the second most populous country in Africa after Nigeria. In the early 1980s, Ethiopia’s population was around 35 million, but by 2024, it has surpassed 126 million, according to United Nations estimates. This growth is driven by a high fertility rate, which, although gradually declining, remains above four children per woman. Urbanization is increasing, but much of the population still lives in rural areas, relying on agriculture. The rapid population growth poses challenges for the country, including pressure on resources, infrastructure, and social services, but it also presents opportunities for economic development if managed effectively.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 20,174,562 | 18.4 |
| 1955 | 21,990,323 | 20.1 |
| 1960 | 24,168,672 | 22 |
| 1965 | 26,740,270 | 24.4 |
| 1970 | 29,468,504 | 26.9 |
| 1975 | 32,975,868 | 30.1 |
| 1980 | 36,036,457 | 32.9 |
| 1985 | 40,684,471 | 37.1 |
| 1990 | 47,461,802 | 43.3 |
| 1995 | 55,249,115 | 50.4 |
| 2000 | 62,891,069 | 57.4 |
| 2005 | 71,680,064 | 65.4 |
| 2010 | 82,065,947 | 74.8 |
| 2015 | 94,621,003 | 86.3 |
| 2020 | 108,108,470 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 113,656,596 | 103.6 |
| 2023 | 116,462,712 | 106.2 |
| 2024 | 119,287,740 | 108.8 |
| 2025 | 122,130,956 | 111.4 |
| 2030 | 136,593,170 | 124.6 |
| 2035 | 151,372,229 | 138 |
| 2040 | 166,333,560 | 151.7 |
| 2045 | 181,277,414 | 165.3 |
| 2050 | 195,982,344 | 178.7 |
| 2055 | 210,492,059 | 192 |
| 2060 | 224,813,883 | 205 |
| 2065 | 238,650,266 | 217.6 |
| 2070 | 251,754,220 | 229.6 |
| 2075 | 263,921,837 | 240.7 |
| 2080 | 274,994,834 | 250.8 |
| 2085 | 284,832,464 | 259.7 |
| 2090 | 293,279,714 | 267.5 |
| 2095 | 300,150,431 | 273.7 |
| 2100 | 305,272,382 | 278.4 |
Data from US Census International Database