Population in largest city in Eritrea
Eritrea: Population in largest city was 1.15 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.15 million
Change on year
up 3.6%
World rank
119th
of 153 countries
All-time high
1.15 million
in 2025
All-time low
123,185
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population in largest city in Eritrea, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
Eritrea recorded 1.15 million for population in largest city in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.6% on the previous year and up 43.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Eritrea peaked at 1.15 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 123,185, in 1960.
Eritrea ranks 119th of 153 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Eritrea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 123,185 | — |
| 1961 | 130,858 | +6.2% |
| 1962 | 139,019 | +6.2% |
| 1963 | 147,690 | +6.2% |
| 1964 | 156,915 | +6.2% |
| 1965 | 166,688 | +6.2% |
| 1966 | 177,085 | +6.2% |
| 1967 | 188,130 | +6.2% |
| 1968 | 192,437 | +2.3% |
| 1969 | 196,830 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 201,330 | +2.3% |
| 1971 | 205,933 | +2.3% |
| 1972 | 210,648 | +2.3% |
| 1973 | 215,457 | +2.3% |
| 1974 | 220,383 | +2.3% |
| 1975 | 225,421 | +2.3% |
| 1976 | 230,582 | +2.3% |
| 1977 | 235,846 | +2.3% |
| 1978 | 241,238 | +2.3% |
| 1979 | 246,753 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 252,402 | +2.3% |
| 1981 | 258,165 | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 264,067 | +2.3% |
| 1983 | 270,104 | +2.3% |
| 1984 | 277,095 | +2.6% |
| 1985 | 289,181 | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 301,812 | +4.4% |
| 1987 | 314,995 | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 328,773 | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 343,113 | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 358,100 | +4.4% |
| 1991 | 361,227 | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 364,385 | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 367,562 | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 370,771 | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 374,008 | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 377,278 | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 380,568 | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 402,017 | +5.6% |
| 1999 | 424,674 | +5.6% |
| 2000 | 448,642 | +5.6% |
| 2001 | 473,892 | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 500,600 | +5.6% |
| 2003 | 519,144 | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 538,402 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 558,318 | +3.7% |
| 2006 | 579,000 | +3.7% |
| 2007 | 600,448 | +3.7% |
| 2008 | 622,691 | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 645,757 | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 669,678 | +3.7% |
| 2011 | 694,486 | +3.7% |
| 2012 | 720,212 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 746,891 | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 774,558 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 803,250 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 833,006 | +3.7% |
| 2017 | 863,863 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 895,863 | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 928,758 | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 962,985 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 998,321 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 1.03 million | +3.7% |
| 2023 | 1.07 million | +3.7% |
| 2024 | 1.11 million | +3.6% |
| 2025 | 1.15 million | +3.6% |
Eritrea compared with similar countries
- Eritrea's 1.15 million is below the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 58% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Eritrea's 1.15 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 53% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 161,884 | 123,185 | 196,830 | 10 |
| 1970s | 223,359 | 201,330 | 246,753 | 10 |
| 1980s | 289,971 | 252,402 | 343,113 | 10 |
| 1990s | 378,059 | 358,100 | 424,674 | 10 |
| 2000s | 548,689 | 448,642 | 645,757 | 10 |
| 2010s | 793,056 | 669,678 | 928,758 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.06 million | 962,985 | 1.15 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Eritrea
- 116 Bulgaria 1.29 million compare
- 117 Libya 1.20 million compare
- 118 Netherlands 1.19 million compare
- 120 Kyrgyzstan 1.15 million compare
- 121 El Salvador 1.13 million compare
- 122 Nicaragua 1.12 million compare
More urban development data for Eritrea
- Population in the largest city 92.5% (2025)
- Population density 28.64 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 33.66 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 14.75 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
- Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen 726,281 current US$ (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Eritrea?
- Population in largest city in Eritrea was 1.15 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Eritrea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.15 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Eritrea?
- The lowest recorded value was 123,185 in 1960.
- How does Eritrea rank for population in largest city?
- Eritrea ranks 119th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Eritrea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Eritrea data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.