Largest Cities in Ethiopia

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Best Ethiopia Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.
Cleanest Air Cities
Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.
Sunniest Cities
Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.
Most Urban Cities
Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.
Population & Density
Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense
Climate & Air
Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities
Geography & Infrastructure
Highest Elevation Most Restaurants
All Countries  ·  Ethiopia

Largest Cities - Ethiopia

1 Addis Ababa 44 5,704,000
2 Sodo 56 512,498
3 Warder 52 450,400
4 Nazrēt 51 324,000
5 Gonder 46 323,900
6 Mek'ele 53 323,700
7 Awasa SI 300,100
8 Dire Dawa 48 277,000
9 Kuyera 51 260,129
10 Bahir Dar 46 243,300
11 Shashamane 51 208,400
12 Dessie 46 187,900
13 Jimma 51 177,900
14 Jijiga 52 159,300
15 Harar 50 157,000
16 Ārabī 52 148,933
17 Debre Birhan 46 146,900
18 Debre Mark’os 46 140,700
19 Debre Tabor 46 125,300
20 Wenago 56 116,921
21 Kachīsī 51 104,595
22 Weldiya 46 104,000
23 Burayu 51 101,400
24 Bishoftu 51 99,928
25 Arsi Negele 51 98,100
26 Aksum 53 94,515
27 Mīlē 45 90,673
28 Kombolcha 46 85,367
29 Āreka 56 84,500
30 Ādīgrat 53 76,400
31 Nek’emtē 51 75,219
32 Mek’ī 51 75,200
33 Arba Minch 56 74,879
34 Negēlē 51 73,100
35 Alamata 53 70,400
36 Hosa’ina 55 69,995
37 Āsela 51 67,269
38 Gambēla 49 66,100
39 Bodītī 56 64,900
40 Mīzan Teferī SW 62,000
41 Mojo 51 61,300
42 Dīla 56 59,150
43 Mot’a 46 59,000
44 Finote Selam 46 58,400
45 Hagere Maryam 51 57,700
46 Kobo 46 56,100
47 Dangila 46 56,000
48 Jinka 56 54,400
49 Chagni 52,300
50 Sek’ot’a 46 50,300
51 Maych’ew 53 49,600
52 Ch’iko SI 49,500
53 Sebeta 51 49,331
54 Hāgere Hiywet 51 48,171
55 Werota 46 47,800
56 Kibre Mengist 51 47,600
57 Injibara 46 47,500
58 Shakiso 51 47,500
59 Inda Silasē 53 47,284
60 Kebri Dahar 52 45,900
61 Wik’ro 53 45,200
62 Bale Robe 51 44,382
63 Nefas Mewch’a 46 44,200
64 Kemisē 46 43,800
65 Ziway 51 43,660
66 Gode 52 43,234
67 Dodola 51 43,200
68 Āsasa 51 42,900
69 Mer’āwī 46 42,200
70 Dolo 53 41,400
71 Adwa 53 40,500
72 Robit 46 39,600
73 Asaita 45 39,400
74 Nejo 51 39,400
75 T’īs Isat 46 39,200
76 Lalibela 46 39,100
77 Lasoano 52 38,000
78 Waliso 51 37,878
79 Bedēsa 51 37,700
80 Qorof 52 37,080
81 Bek’ojī 51 36,800
82 Babīlē 51 36,700
83 Āwash 45 36,500
84 Mersa 46 36,300
85 Yabēlo 51 36,300
86 Dubti 45 36,100
87 Sheraro 53 36,100
88 Yamarugley 52 36,000
89 Korem 53 35,600
90 Badessa 56 35,294
91 Logīya 45 34,500
92 Gelemso 51 34,200
93 Neefkuceliye 52 34,000
94 Āykel 46 34,000
95 Fadhigaradle 52 34,000
96 Āsbe Teferī 51 33,670
97 Butajīra 55 33,406
98 Goba 51 32,025
99 Bale Hawassa 56 31,765
100 Leku SI 31,700

The largest cities in Ethiopia represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Addis Ababa leads with a population of 5,704,000, followed by Sodo and Warder. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. 51 dominates the top 10 with 2 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Addis Ababa's population is larger than that of more than 30 U.S. states.
  • 2. 51 has 2 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 50,300 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 7,314,798.

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