Population · Africa · 2025 data
Eritrea Population
Eritrea had a population of 3.61 million in 2025, ranking #131 of 216 countries and territories (0.04% of the world). The population grew by 16.1% over the past ten years.
3.61 million
Population (2025) · #131
+2.00%
Annual growth
29
People per km²
35%
Live in cities
Population of Eritrea, 1960–2025
972,5471960
1.11965
1.21970
1.41975
1.61980
1.81985
2.01990
2.01995
2.22000
2.72005
2.92010
3.12015
3.32020
3.62025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,607,003 | +2.02% |
| 2024 | 3,535,603 | +1.88% |
| 2023 | 3,470,390 | +1.79% |
| 2022 | 3,409,447 | +1.77% |
| 2021 | 3,350,183 | +1.79% |
| 2020 | 3,291,271 | +1.58% |
| 2019 | 3,240,194 | +1.49% |
| 2018 | 3,192,760 | +1.35% |
| 2017 | 3,150,347 | +0.82% |
| 2016 | 3,124,698 | +0.62% |
| 2015 | 3,105,546 | +0.34% |
| 2014 | 3,095,173 | +0.68% |
| 2013 | 3,074,360 | +1.23% |
| 2012 | 3,036,988 | +1.28% |
| 2011 | 2,998,485 | +1.81% |
| 2010 | 2,945,186 | +1.98% |
| 2009 | 2,887,885 | +2.54% |
| 2008 | 2,816,327 | +2.66% |
| 2007 | 2,743,222 | +1.47% |
| 2006 | 2,703,502 | +1.59% |
| 2005 | 2,661,215 | +2.42% |
| 2004 | 2,598,284 | +4.19% |
| 2003 | 2,493,903 | +4.22% |
| 2002 | 2,392,978 | +3.50% |
| 2001 | 2,312,079 | +2.89% |
| 2000 | 2,247,031 | +1.55% |
| 1999 | 2,212,780 | +1.48% |
| 1998 | 2,180,419 | +1.31% |
| 1997 | 2,152,135 | +1.11% |
| 1996 | 2,128,464 | +5.10% |
| 1995 | 2,025,267 | +5.82% |
| 1994 | 1,913,915 | +3.12% |
| 1993 | 1,856,006 | +3.18% |
| 1992 | 1,798,748 | -6.29% |
| 1991 | 1,919,571 | -5.57% |
| 1990 | 2,032,737 | +2.30% |
| 1989 | 1,987,017 | +2.52% |
| 1988 | 1,938,255 | +2.63% |
| 1987 | 1,888,669 | +2.36% |
| 1986 | 1,845,164 | +2.07% |
| 1985 | 1,807,816 | +2.04% |
| 1984 | 1,771,730 | +2.05% |
| 1983 | 1,736,160 | +2.40% |
| 1982 | 1,695,461 | +2.76% |
| 1981 | 1,649,939 | +2.75% |
| 1980 | 1,605,797 | +2.72% |
| 1979 | 1,563,332 | +2.69% |
| 1978 | 1,522,378 | +2.69% |
| 1977 | 1,482,565 | +2.68% |
| 1976 | 1,443,807 | +2.53% |
| 1975 | 1,408,210 | +2.36% |
| 1974 | 1,375,688 | +2.46% |
| 1973 | 1,342,669 | +2.55% |
| 1972 | 1,309,235 | +2.59% |
| 1971 | 1,276,154 | +2.63% |
| 1970 | 1,243,453 | +2.59% |
| 1969 | 1,212,005 | +2.56% |
| 1968 | 1,181,737 | +2.55% |
| 1967 | 1,152,339 | +2.43% |
| 1966 | 1,124,957 | +2.42% |
| 1965 | 1,098,335 | +2.52% |
| 1964 | 1,071,287 | +2.51% |
| 1963 | 1,045,092 | +2.48% |
| 1962 | 1,019,788 | +2.43% |
| 1961 | 995,573 | +2.37% |
| 1960 | 972,547 | — |
Demographics of Eritrea
68.9
Life expectancy (years)
3.68
Births per woman (above replacement)
4.3%
Aged 65 and over
21.7 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.)
Languages
Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages
Religions
Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim
Where people live
Urban population: 43.3% of total population (2023).
Frequently asked questions about the population of Eritrea
What is the population of Eritrea?
Eritrea had a population of 3.61 million in 2025, ranking #131 of 216 countries and territories (0.04% of the world).
Is the population of Eritrea growing?
Yes. The population grew by 16.1% over the past ten years. Annual growth in 2025: 2.00%.
How has the population of Eritrea changed since 1960?
It has grown 3.7-fold, from 972,547 in 1960 to 3.61 million in 2025.
How densely populated is Eritrea?
About 29 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in Eritrea?
Asmara — about 1.1 million people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).