MigrantoImmigrants in Ethiopia
1.1M foreign-born residents — the #53 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 89% of all immigrants
↑↓ — change vs 2020
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| South Sudan | 443743 |
| Somalia | 389246 |
| Eritrea | 176860 |
| Sudan | 88958 |
| China | 26824 |
| Kenya | 5564 |
| Yemen | 2503 |
| Djibouti | 1364 |
| DR Congo | 1041 |
| Syria | 679 |
| Burundi | 130 |
| Uganda | 18 |
By region of origin
Africa is the leading region of origin at 97%
1.1M
26.8K
3.2K
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Ethiopia.
South Sudan is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
South Sudan accounts for 39% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 34%.
Ethiopia is a primary destination for emigrants from Djibouti
Ethiopia attracts 38% of all emigrants from Djibouti, making it the leading destination for those leaving the country.
Immigration has accelerated notably since 2020
The immigrant population grew 36% from 832.9K to 1.1M, indicating an acceleration in migration flows following COVID and recent geopolitical shifts.
South Sudan is the fastest-growing major source
Immigration from South Sudan has increased by 58% since 2015, rising from 281.2K to 443.7K in 9 years.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 869639 |
| 1995 | 471273 |
| 2000 | 297275 |
| 2005 | 156751 |
| 2010 | 206391 |
| 2015 | 784161 |
| 2020 | 832948 |
| 2024 | 1136930 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | South Sudan | Somalia | Eritrea | Sudan | China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 349048 | 395548 | 64266 | 59262 | 350 |
| 1995 | 64067 | 319976 | 49258 | 10273 | 104 |
| 2000 | 72662 | 177388 | 27869 | 12364 | 1762 |
| 2005 | 79562 | 37643 | 19447 | 13973 | 4400 |
| 2010 | 33673 | 86677 | 40794 | 5440 | 34059 |
| 2015 | 281162 | 263015 | 139524 | 38743 | 54628 |
| 2020 | 365470 | 204246 | 169990 | 44791 | 38672 |
| 2024 | 443743 | 389246 | 176860 | 88958 | 26824 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Ethiopia as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Ethiopia
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Ethiopia?
Around 1.1M foreign-born residents live in Ethiopia, making it the #53-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Ethiopia come from?
Most immigrants in Ethiopia come from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea — these three countries account for about 89% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Ethiopia are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 1% of the population of Ethiopia — that's 1.1M out of a total population of 132.1M.
How has immigration to Ethiopia changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Ethiopia has grown from 784.2K to 1.1M people, a growth of about 45%.
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