Top 6 Largest Regions in Ethiopia by Population

Below is an overview of the top 6 largest regions in Ethiopia by population size (2023). Ethiopia’s constitution of August 21, 1995, restructured the country into regional states (kilil) based on ethnicity. The regions are ordered from most to least populated. Ethiopia’s 1995 Constitution replaced the previous provincial system with today’s ethno-linguistically based regions, marking a distinct change in its administrative structure.

1. Oromia Region, Ethiopia (41,790,000 (2024 est.))

Location: Oromia spans Ethiopia’s western, central, and southern regions. The Oromia region borders every other region in Ethiopia, with the exception of the Tigray area in the north, which is an interesting fact.

Overview Summary: In Ethiopia, Oromia is the region with the largest population. Capital City, Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region and also serves as the seat of the federal government. Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s largest city and its capital. There are many different types of landscapes in the Oromia region, such as plateaus, river valleys, mountain ranges, and rolling plains.

The remarkably intact historic remains of Oromia civilization show the progression of the Oromo people, from modest huts to palaces and from regional trade to global trade. This region has had a major influence on the development of Ethiopia and is rich in Ethiopian history. Along with numerous other goods, coffee, gold, livestock, and khat are reportedly some of the region’s top exports.

Population: The total population is estimated at 41,790,000 (2024 est.). It is important to use projections merely as estimates because populations fluctuate over time. The Oromo people are, as the region’s name implies, the largest ethnic group in the region. Said to be a Cushitic ethnic group, the Oromo are indigenous to parts of northern Kenya and the Oromia region of Ethiopia.

2. Amhara Region, Ethiopia (23,549,000 (2024 est.))

Location: Amhara is located in the northwest and slightly into parts of central Ethiopia. The region is bordered by the country of Sudan to the west, Afar to the east, the Tigray region to the north, Oromia to the south, and Benishangul Gumuz to the southwest.

Overview Summary: Ethiopia’s second-most populous region is Amhara. Its total land size is estimated at 59,733.46 sq mi (154,708.96 km2). Amhara is subdivided into an estimated 11 administrative zones. The capital of the Amhara region is the city of Bahir Dar. On August 21, 1995, the 1995 Ethiopian Constitution came into effect, redefining the Amhara region as an ethno-linguistically based administrative region.

Ethiopia’s rich history and historical landmarks span centuries, and many are located in the Amhara region. Amhara is also home to the majority of Ethiopia’s cultural World Heritage Sites. The majority of the Amhara people work in agriculture, growing staples like teff, a cereal grass that is produced for its grain, as well as corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and other crops.

Population: The total population is estimated at 23,549,000 (2024 est.). It is important to use projections merely as estimates because populations fluctuate over time. The Amhara ethnic group, who speaks Semitic languages, makes up the majority of the population living in this Amhara region. The people of the Amhara region are kind and welcoming, as are the majority of Ethiopians.

3. Central Region, Ethiopia (9,382,700 (2024 est.))

Location: The Central Region is located in the central region of Ethiopia, slightly southwest of the capital city of Addis Ababa. The Oromia region encircles the Central region to the north, east, and west, and the South and Southwest regions border it to the south.

Overview Summary: The Central Region was created on August 19, 2023, following public referendums. It formed as a result of the subdivision and restructuring of the old SNNP Region, which is no longer recognized. The region is one of the more recent administrative regions in Ethiopia. Though it is not a totally new region because it was formed from a pre-existing larger region, it now enjoys the same level of administration as the rest of the regions.

Its capital city and administrative city is Hosaena (Hosaina). The region is subdivided into approximately 7 zones and 3 special woreda.

Population: The total population is estimated at 9,382,700 (2024 est.). It is important to use projections merely as estimates because populations fluctuate over time. The largest ethnic people groups in the Central region are the Gurage and Hadiya.

4. South Region, Ethiopia (7,728,100 (2024 est.))

Location: The South Region is situated in Ethiopia’s southern area, as the name suggests. The Central Region borders it to the north, the Sidama Region to the northeast, the Oromia Region to the east, the Southwest Region to the west, and the county of Kenya to the south.

Overview Summary: The South Region is a recently created region, but not entirely new, as it was formed as a subdivision of a previous larger region (SNNPR). The South Region was adopted on August 19, 2023, following a successful public referendum. The region is further subdivided into 12 administrative zones. Wolaita Sodo city is the capital and political administrative hub of Ethiopia’s South Region.

Population: The total population is estimated at 7,728,100 (2024 est.). It is important to use projections merely as estimates because populations fluctuate over time.

5. Somali Region, Ethiopia (6,808,000 (2024 est.))

Location: The Somali Region spans Ethiopia’s entire east and parts of the southeast areas.It shares borders with the Oromia Region to the west, the Afar Region to the northwest, the country of Djibouti to the north, and Somalia to the east.

Overview Summary: The westernmost area of Ethiopia is known as the Somali Region. On September 13, 2018, the Somali Region was most recently re-adopted. The capital city of Ethiopia’s Somali Region is Jijiga. The total land mass of this region is estimated at 126,668 sq mi (328,068 km2). The Somali make up the majority of the population in this area.

Population: The total population is estimated to be 6,808,000 (2024 est.). The largest ethnic population is Somali. It is important to use projections merely as estimates because populations fluctuate over time.

6. Tigray Region, Ethiopia (5,946,000 (2024 est.))

Location: Tigray is located in the northernmost region of Ethiopia. It shares borders with the Amhara Region to the south, the Afar Region to the east, the country of Sudan west, and Eritrea to the north.

Overview Summary: The Tigray Region is Ethiopia’s northernmost region. West Tigray, Central Tigray, East Tigray, and South Tigray are the four major administrative zones. Mekelle is the capital of the Tigray region. The total land mass of this region is estimated at 19,336 sq mi (50,079 km2). The most commonly spoken language is Tigrinya. The Tigrayans make up the majority of the population in this area.

Population: The total population is estimated at 5,946,000 (2024 est.), and some estimates go up to 7,357,900. The range in numbers is attributable to regional instability and the difficulties of obtaining a totally accurate population count. This area has witnessed a notable population drop as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region.

Conclusion

This concludes our overview of the top 6 largest regions in Ethiopia by population. As mentioned in the introduction Ethiopia is the second most populous country on the continent of Africa. It is also the home of the African Union Headquarters. Ethiopia has played a significant part in Africa’s growth throughout history.

Please let us know if you would want to see additional breakdowns based on different factors.

Disclaimer

Our blogs are meant solely for informational and entertainment purposes. If you are doing research, please double-check any information you obtain on our website or the internet in general. Governments and nations modify their laws on occasion. Some of the material in this post may have changed or been updated since it was originally published.

Population projection data comes from a variety of sources. Data accuracy may differ depending on the source and date of access to this information. Population sizes fluctuate constantly, but this post focuses on population size in order.

African Statistics

Top 6 Largest Regions in Ethiopia by Population

Table of Contents

What are the administrative regions of Ethiopia?

Ethiopia’s Twelve (12) Administrative Regions

What are Ethiopian chartered cities?

Ethiopia’s Two (2) Chartered Cities