Ethiopian Culture

Population Statistics

Ethiopia

Population

105,350,020

[July 2017 est.]

Language

Oromo 33.8%
Amharic 29.3%
Somali 6.2%
Tigrinya 5.9%
Sidamo 4.0%
Wolaytta 2.2%
Gurage 2.0%
Afar 1.7%
Hadiyya 1.7%
Other including over 70 unique languages 13.2%

[Census, 2007]

Religion

Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity 43.5%
Islam 33.9%
Protestant Christianity 18.5%
Traditional/Animist Religions 2.7%
Catholic Christianity 0.7%
Other 0.6%

[Census, 2007]

Ethnicity

Oromo 34.4%
Amhara 26.9%
Somali 6.2%
Tigrinya 6.1%
Sidama 4.0%
Gurage 2.5%
Welaita 2.3%
Hadiya 1.7%
Afar 1.7%
Other including at least 70 unique ethnic groups 14.1%

[Census, 2007]

Cultural Dimensions

70

20

65

55

Australians with Ethiopian Ancestry

20,641
This figure includes responses nominating Tigyrayan, Amhara and Oromo ancestry. 
[2021 Census, ABS]

Ethiopians in Australia

Population

14,092

[2021 Census, ABS]

This figure refers to the number of Australian residents that were born in Ethiopia.

Median Age

36

[Census, 2016]

Gender

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

[2021 Census, ABS]

Religion

Islam 27.5%
Ethiopian Orthodox Church 23.3%
Christianity [nfd] 13.9%
Greek Orthodox 7.9%
Other Religion 21.1%
No Religion 4.5%
Not Stated 1.9%

[2021 Census, ABS]

Ancestry

Ethiopian 63.2%
Oromo 9.4%
African [ndf] 8.3%
Eritrean 3.6%
English 3.0%

These are the top ancestry responses of Australian residents born in Ethiopia. Respondents were able to provide two responses in the 2021 Census. Therefore, nominated answers may exceed the number of total persons.

[2021 Census, ABS]

Language Spoken at Home

Amharic 40.2%
Oromo 18.1%
English 12.1%
Tigrinya 11.4%
Somali 3.4%
Other Languages 11.5%
Not Stated 3.1%

Of those who speak a language other than English at home, 84.4% speak English fluently.

[2021 Census, ABS]

Diaspora

Victoria 55.1%
Western Australia 13.1%
Queensland 11.6%
New South Wales 10.5%
Other 9.6%

[2021 Census, ABS]

Arrival to Australia

Prior to 2000 23.0%
2001 - 2010 34.0%
2011 - 2020 39.9%

[2021 Census, ABS]

Get a downloadable PDF that you can share, print and read.

Guaranteed secure stripe badge

A unified, searchable interface answering your questions on the world's cultures and religions

Sign up for free