Eritrea: housing

How many homes in Eritrea have clean water and toilets?

51.8% of Eritrea's population used at least a basic drinking water service in 2016, the latest year in World Bank Open Data, from the WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. 11.9% used at least basic sanitation, according to the sanitation series.

A basic water service means an improved source, such as a piped supply or protected well, that takes no more than 30 minutes to reach and return from. Basic sanitation means an improved toilet not shared with other households. The figures are a decade old, as no newer national survey has been published, so they may not reflect later investment.

Official sources: World Bank: basic drinking water, Eritrea · World Bank: basic sanitation, Eritrea

How many people in Eritrea live in towns?

34.5% of Eritrea's population lived in urban areas in 2025, according to World Bank Open Data, based on the UN World Urbanization Prospects.

The share is a UN estimate built on each country's own definition of what counts as urban, so it is not strictly comparable between countries. No official figures on house prices, rents or homeownership were found on Eritrean government sites checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: urban population, Eritrea

How many people in Eritrea live in cities?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in Eritrea was 34.5%, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 35.7% in 2012 and the low 34.5% in 2024. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.9%, and Eritrea placed 34th highest of 48. Worldwide: 162nd of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Eritrea?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 48.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; Eritrea is 24th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 170.

How many people in Eritrea have electricity?

55.3%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in Eritrea for 2024, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 34.5% (2005) to 55.4% (2022). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.8%, and Eritrea placed 27th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 170th of 193.

How many people in Eritrea cook with wood or charcoal?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Eritrea was 21.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.0%, and Eritrea placed 22nd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 160th of 192.