Eritrea
Country statistics · 1990–present
Eritrea at a Glance
Eritrea is home to 3.5 million people as of 2024, with a population that is growing very rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $567, it is a low-income economy — reflecting an economy where significant development opportunity remains. Life expectancy at birth stands at 68.9 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 3.5 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 28.7 and a death rate of 6.0 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 22.7 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 80,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Eritrea is a small economy, with a total GDP that stood at $2 billion (2019). At $567 per person, it is classified as a low-income economy — reflecting an economy where significant development opportunity remains. The economy recorded solid growth of 3.8% in 2019.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 68.9 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $28 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 64.7% (2008), reflecting literacy rates that remain a key development focus. 14.3% of the population use the internet (2020), indicating limited internet penetration, with significant scope for digital expansion.