Updated
Overview
Ethiopia has 2.4 times the population of Kenya: 135.47 million people against 57.53 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $126.36B for Ethiopia and $135.94B for Kenya.
Per person, Kenya is the wealthier of the two: $2,363 against $933 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ethiopia | Kenya | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $126.36B | Higher: $135.94B | 2025 | $126.77B / $124.50B |
| GDP per capita | $933 | Higher: $2,363 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 9.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 13.2% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | 21.0% / 4.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.3% | 5.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 37 | 34 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $96 | Higher: $137 | 2021 / 2019 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $119 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 135.47 million | 57.53 million | 2025 | 121.37 million / 55.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 19.1 yrs | 20.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.81 | 3.12 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 67.6 yrs | 63.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 24% | 32% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 22% | Higher: 35% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,104,300 km² | 580,367 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 122.7/km² | 99.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 18 Mt | 21 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $921.67M | $1.23B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 138,000 | 24,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Ethiopia is growing much faster: 9.8% annual GDP growth versus 4.6%.
Ethiopia runs the hotter price environment: 13.2% inflation versus 4.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Kenya: $137 against $96 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 19.1 (Ethiopia) and 20.0 (Kenya).
Life expectancy is 3.8 years longer in Ethiopia (67.6 vs 63.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Kenya (35% vs 22% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Ethiopia is 90% larger than Kenya: 1,104,300 km² versus 580,367 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Kenya spends 34% more on defence than Ethiopia: $1.23B versus $921.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Ethiopia fields the larger armed forces: 138,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ethiopia bigger than Kenya?
- Ethiopia is larger by land area. Ethiopia covers 1,104,300 km² while Kenya covers 580,367 km², so Ethiopia is 90% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Ethiopia or Kenya?
- Ethiopia has the larger population: 135.47 million versus 57.53 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ethiopia richer than Kenya?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Kenya is richer: $2,363 against $933. Total GDP tells the same story: $126.36B for Ethiopia versus $135.94B for Kenya.
- Who spends more on their military, Ethiopia or Kenya?
- Kenya spends more: $1.23B versus $921.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).