Regions of Ethiopia: population and official figures
Ethiopia is divided into 14 regions. The largest by population is Oromia with 43,589,000 people (38.4% of the total); the smallest is Harari with 303,000. Population figures are Ethiopian Statistical Service projections for July 2026; Ethiopia has not held a census since 2007. The former SNNPR has been divided into Sidama, South West Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and South Ethiopia, each with its own page. Each region page adds jobs and migration from the ESS 2024/25 National Integrated Household Survey, and health, water and sanitation from the 2024-25 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey.
Who governs Ethiopia's regions?
Regional states (12) and chartered cities (2: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa): Directly elected state councils; regional president chosen by the council. Tigray has had a federally appointed interim administration since 2023.. Own constitutions, laws, police, courts; set up local government.
How local power works in Ethiopia · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 14 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oromia | 43,589,000 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 2 | Amhara | 24,207,000 | 2026 | +1.4% |
| 3 | South Ethiopia | 8,093,428 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 4 | Somali | 7,106,000 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 5 | Central Ethiopia | 6,683,946 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 6 | Tigray | 6,134,000 | 2026 | +1.6% |
| 7 | Sidama | 5,033,486 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 8 | Addis Ababa | 4,198,000 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 9 | South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region | 3,592,142 | 2026 | +2.1% |
| 10 | Afar | 2,200,000 | 2026 | +1.8% |
| 11 | Benishangul-Gumuz | 1,346,000 | 2026 | +2.4% |
| 12 | Dire Dawa | 598,000 | 2026 | +2.8% |
| 13 | Gambella | 572,000 | 2026 | +3.1% |
| 14 | Harari | 303,000 | 2026 | +2.4% |
Cities: the largest cities of Ethiopia.
More on Ethiopia: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Ethiopian Statistical Service: Population Size by Sex, Area and Density by Region, Zone and Wereda: July 2026 (projection from the 2007 census), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d73f105efd1…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service: Population Size by Sex, Area and Density by Region, Zone and Wereda: July 2025 (projection from the 2007 census), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 724f5cd79d33…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service: National Integrated Household Survey 2024/25: Labour Force Key Findings (Appendix Summary Tables 1 and 3, Tables B1-B4), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 621e313a7446…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service: National Integrated Household Survey 2024/25: Migration Key Findings (Table 4.6: regional net migration), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e7f1f7aad215…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program): Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2024-25, Key Indicators Report: Tables 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17.1 and 18 by region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 36b60096ac11…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program): Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2024-25, Summary Report: regional indicator table (water, sanitation, fertility, child mortality), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 11639969304a…)
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