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Ethiopia

Key statistics

6 million

people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024

322,614

Ethiopians were refugees, asylum-seekers or otherwise in need of international protection worldwide at the end of 2024

$434.5 million

are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Ethiopia are sustained

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting countries, sheltering over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers - mainly from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. Most reside in 24 camps across five regional states, while more than 70,000 live in Addis Ababa as urban refugees. Women and girls make up 47% of the refugee population, and children represent nearly 60%.

The country is also grappling with significant internal displacement. Ongoing conflicts in the north and localized tensions elsewhere have forced 4.7 million people from their homes, with over 2.5 million IDPs having returned.

UNHCR’s operation in Ethiopia focuses on emergency response, protection, and promoting the self-reliance of displaced communities. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, our work supports both refugees and internally displaced persons, fostering inclusion and resilience. With a central office in Addis Ababa and field presence in regions including Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Tigray, and Dire Dawa, we work closely with partners and the Government of Ethiopia to deliver lifesaving assistance and long-term solutions.

Strategy and results

This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.

Strategy

Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.

Download the strategy

Indicators and targets

Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.

Download indicators and targets

Annual Results Report

Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.

Download the ARR

Population and financial overview

Ethiopia

Use the year selector to access information from previous years.

Populations

Population types

Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is  .

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by country

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by origin

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Financial

Budget and expenditure trend

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by pillar
Budget by objective

Note: The table presents the  budget for this operation broken down at the objective level. Resource allocation at the objective level is subject to change during the course of the year as the operational situation evolves and priorities shift. The current budget, reflected in the bottom line of this table, is updated on a monthly basis and is replaced by the final budget at year-end.

Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2024 budget and 2023 current budget are taken from the budget document approved by UNHCR's Executive Committee in October 2023.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

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Strategy - Country

Strategy

For more information about our work in Ethiopia:

Are you looking for more data on displacement in Ethiopia?

Visit the UNHCR data portal for the latest data and statistics on forcibly displaced and stateless people.

Visit the Operational Data Portal

 

Refworld

Find legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection.

Visit Refworld

 

Office contact details

For information about our operation in Ethiopia, please contact us through our Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.