Economy, jobs and prices in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: official figures
14.5% of Dire Dawa's labour force (people aged 10 and over working or looking for work) was unemployed in the 2024/25 National Integrated Household Survey, about 36,000 people; 2nd highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 9.6%). In the February 2021 Labour Market Survey the rate was 15.9% (Ethiopia: 8.0%).
How many young people in Dire Dawa are unemployed?
Among young people aged 15 to 35 in the labour force, 17.7% were unemployed in Dire Dawa in 2024/25, 2nd highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 12.9%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyHow many people in Dire Dawa have a job?
48.3% of people of working age in Dire Dawa were in work in 2024/25 and 56.5% were in the labour force, the lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations for the share in work (Ethiopia: 61.3% and 67.8%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyAre women in Dire Dawa more likely to be unemployed?
Unemployment in Dire Dawa was 18.5% for women and 11.5% for men in 2024/25 (Ethiopia: 12.8% and 7.2%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyIs unemployment higher in the towns of Dire Dawa?
Unemployment is higher in towns: the urban unemployment rate in Dire Dawa was 17.2% in 2024/25, against 9.1% in rural areas (Ethiopia: 17.2% urban, 7.4% rural).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyDo people in Dire Dawa have clean drinking water?
85% of people in Dire Dawa lived in households with at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2024-25, 2nd highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 57%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many homes in Dire Dawa have a proper toilet?
40% of people in Dire Dawa had at least a basic sanitation service (an improved toilet not shared with other households), joint 4th highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 31%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Dire Dawa compares with other city administrations
Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) (2024/25)
Dire Dawa ranks 2 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addis Ababa | 19.1% |
| 2 | Dire Dawa | 14.5% |
| 3 | Tigray | 12.0% |
| 4 | Oromia | 10.5% |
| 5 | Amhara | 9.2% |
| 6 | Afar | 9.1% |
| 7 | Somali | 9.0% |
Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) (2024/25)
Dire Dawa ranks 2 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addis Ababa | 20.3% |
| 2 | Dire Dawa | 17.7% |
| 3 | Tigray | 16.3% |
| 4 | Oromia | 14.4% |
| 5 | Somali | 13.1% |
| 6 | Amhara | 12.2% |
| 7 | Central Ethiopia | 11.7% |
Household population with at least basic drinking water (2024-25)
Dire Dawa ranks 2 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Household population with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addis Ababa | 91% |
| 2 | Dire Dawa | 85% |
| 3 | Benishangul-Gumuz | 77% |
| 4 | Harari | 74% |
| 5 | Amhara | 65% |
| 6 | Gambella | 63% |
| 7 | Oromia | 56% |
More on Dire Dawa: overview · health · Ethiopia
Sources
- 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…)
- 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…)
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