What Languages Do They Speak In Ethiopia?
Explore the languages spoken in Ethiopia on an interactive map.
Ethiopia Languages: Quick Facts
Languages
5
Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya
Population
120,300,000
Cost of living
~ $1515
Index: 30.3
Safety / crime index
Crime Index: 51.4
Language Spoken in Ethiopia Percentage
| Language | Percentage | Population |
|---|---|---|
OromoOfficial | 33.8% | 40,661,400 |
AmharicOfficial | 29.3% | 35,247,900 |
SomaliOfficial | 6.2% | 7,458,600 |
TigrinyaOfficial | 5.9% | 7,097,700 |
AfarOfficial | 1.7% | 2,045,100 |
Do They Speak English in Ethiopia?
English proficiency
Ranked #68 on the EF English Proficiency Index.
In short
You may get by with English in airports, hotels, and larger cities in Ethiopia, but it becomes less reliable outside those areas. Knowing some Afar is strongly recommended.
FAQ
Ethiopia Language FAQ
Short answers to common questions about the main languages, English usage, and communication in Ethiopia.
People in Ethiopia speak Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya.
Oromo is the most widely spoken language.
Oromo is spoken by about 33.8% of the population in Ethiopia.
That corresponds to roughly 40,661,400 people.
Only sometimes. English may work in tourist-facing places, but it is safer to know at least some Afar.
- What languages do they speak in Ethiopia?
People in Ethiopia speak Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya.
Oromo is the most widely spoken language.
- How widely spoken is Oromo in Ethiopia?
Oromo is spoken by about 33.8% of the population in Ethiopia.
That corresponds to roughly 40,661,400 people.
- Can you get by with English in Ethiopia?
Only sometimes. English may work in tourist-facing places, but it is safer to know at least some Afar.
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