Population during each prime minister's tenure
Every prime minister since 1991, ranked by how population changed from their first day in office. Politare shows what happened during a tenure; it does not claim the office-holder caused it.
| # | Prime minister | In office | Total | Per year | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EPRDF Meles Zenawi | 28 May 1991 – 20 Aug 2012 from 1991 | +92.7% 1991 → 2012 | +3.2%/yr | |
| 2 | PP Abiy Ahmed | 2 Apr 2018 – now | +23.5% 2017 → 2025 | +2.7%/yr | |
| 3 | EPRDF Hailemariam Desalegn | 20 Aug 2012 – 2 Apr 2018 | +14.5% 2012 → 2017 | +2.7%/yr |
Sorted by total, highest first. Every row is indexed to the last count complete before the first day in office ("from" marks a start that had to move because that count had no data, or because the period cut it); Levels are per cent changes, rates are differences in %; "per year" compounds levels and divides rates. Tenures with under 12 months, or under three observations, are left out. millions, mid-year estimate · World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL) from the UN's World Population Prospects, mid-year; the last census was in 2007 · Ethiopia data · as of Oct 2026.