Urban Population: Ethiopia
Ethiopia's urban population is currently 23.6% as of 2024. # Ethiopia Urban Population Ethiopia's urban population reached 23.
Current (2024)
23.6%
+2.4% y/y
Peak (2024)
23.6%
Low (1960)
7.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Ethiopia
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Ethiopia
Analysis# Ethiopia Urban Population
Ethiopia's urban population reached 23.622% in 2024, marking its all-time peak. The country remains predominantly rural, with urban residents comprising less than one-quarter of the total population. Since 1960, when only 7.109% of Ethiopians lived in cities, urbanization has accelerated dramatically—a 232.3% increase over six decades. This represents one of Africa's largest rural-to-urban migration patterns during the modern era.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, gaining 4.17 percentage points in the nine years through 2024. Annual growth consistently exceeded 0.4 percentage points from 2018 onward, reflecting sustained rural exodus and natural population growth in cities. Ethiopia's urbanization trajectory suggests continued expansion, driven by economic opportunities in urban centers and demographic pressures in agricultural regions. The trend indicates Ethiopia will likely cross the 25% threshold within the next few years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23.6% | +2.44% |
| 2023 | 23.1% | +1.42% |
| 2022 | 22.7% | +2.85% |
| 2021 | 22.1% | +2.22% |
| 2020 | 21.6% | +1.77% |
| 2019 | 21.2% | +2.24% |
| 2018 | 20.8% | +2.34% |
| 2017 | 20.3% | +2.17% |
| 2016 | 19.9% | +2.18% |
| 2015 | 19.5% | +2.24% |
| 2014 | 19.0% | +2.20% |
| 2013 | 18.6% | +2.25% |
| 2012 | 18.2% | +1.91% |
| 2011 | 17.9% | +2.12% |
| 2010 | 17.5% | +2.00% |
| 2009 | 17.2% | +2.13% |
| 2008 | 16.8% | +4.34% |
| 2007 | 16.1% | -0.74% |
| 2006 | 16.2% | +1.45% |
| 2005 | 16.0% | +1.42% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15.8% | +1.38% |
| 2003 | 15.5% | +1.38% |
| 2002 | 15.3% | +1.42% |
| 2001 | 15.1% | +1.33% |
| 2000 | 14.9% | +1.40% |
| 1999 | 14.7% | +1.37% |
| 1998 | 14.5% | +1.45% |
| 1997 | 14.3% | +1.45% |
| 1996 | 14.1% | +1.58% |
| 1995 | 13.9% | +1.21% |
| 1994 | 13.7% | +1.52% |
| 1993 | 13.5% | +1.74% |
| 1992 | 13.3% | +1.93% |
| 1991 | 13.0% | +2.08% |
| 1990 | 12.8% | +2.19% |
| 1989 | 12.5% | +2.26% |
| 1988 | 12.2% | +2.28% |
| 1987 | 11.9% | +2.26% |
| 1986 | 11.7% | +2.18% |
| 1985 | 11.4% | +2.04% |
| 1984 | 11.2% | +1.94% |
| 1983 | 11.0% | +1.93% |
| 1982 | 10.8% | +1.94% |
| 1981 | 10.6% | +1.94% |
| 1980 | 10.4% | +1.95% |
| 1979 | 10.2% | +1.94% |
| 1978 | 10.0% | +1.94% |
| 1977 | 9.8% | +1.95% |
| 1976 | 9.6% | +1.93% |
| 1975 | 9.4% | +1.94% |
| 1974 | 9.2% | +1.93% |
| 1973 | 9.1% | +1.93% |
| 1972 | 8.9% | +1.91% |
| 1971 | 8.7% | +1.91% |
| 1970 | 8.6% | +1.90% |
| 1969 | 8.4% | +1.88% |
| 1968 | 8.3% | +1.88% |
| 1967 | 8.1% | +1.87% |
| 1966 | 8.0% | +1.87% |
| 1965 | 7.8% | +1.88% |
| 1964 | 7.7% | +1.89% |
| 1963 | 7.5% | +1.88% |
| 1962 | 7.4% | +1.89% |
| 1961 | 7.2% | +1.88% |
| 1960 | 7.1% | — |
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