Eritrea
Asmara · Africa · Eastern Africa
Population
3.6M
World Bank, 2025
Area
117,600 km²
GDP
—
World Bank, 2025
GDP Per Capita
—
World Bank, 2025
Life Expectancy
68.6 yrs
World Bank, 2025
Capital
Asmara
Eritrea is a country located in Eastern Africa, with its capital in Asmara. As of 2025, it has a population of 3.6M and covers an area of 117,600 km². Life expectancy in Eritrea stands at 68.6 years (World Bank, 2025), below the global average of 72 years. The official languages include Arabic, English, Tigrinya, and the currency is the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk). Eritrea shares land borders with 3 countries.
How to Call Eritrea
The international calling code for Eritrea is +291. When calling from abroad, first dial your country's exit code (for example, 00 in Europe), then 291, then the local number. When dialing internationally, drop the leading trunk prefix "0" from the local number.
Country Code
+291
Exit Code
00
Trunk Prefix
0
Format
+291 X XXX XXX
Mobile Prefixes
7
Example: To call a number in Eritrea from abroad, dial +291 5 555 555
How Large Is Eritrea's Economy?
Eritrea is classified as a low-income economy by World Bank standards, located in Africa. The country uses the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk) as its official currency. Detailed GDP figures are not yet available for this territory. The unemployment rate of 6.0% is 23% below the regional average of 7.8 (World Bank, 2025). Eritrea's official currency is the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk). As a UN member, Eritrea participates in multilateral trade frameworks.
GDP
—
World Bank, 2025
GDP Per Capita
—
World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth
—
Unemployment
6.0%
Inflation
—
Currencies
ERN
What Are Eritrea's Demographics?
With 3.6M people, Eritrea is a nation of 3.6M people. At 31 people per km², the country is sparsely populated. Life expectancy stands at 68.6 years, 3.4 years below the global average of 72 years. Infant mortality of 25.5 per 1,000 live births is 42% below the regional average of 44 (World Bank, 2025). The country recognizes 3 official languages, including Arabic, English, Tigrinya.
Population
3.6M
World Bank, 2025
Life Expectancy
68.6 yrs
World Bank, 2025
Infant Mortality
25.5 per 1k
Literacy Rate
—
Languages
Arabic, English
CO₂ Per Capita
—
Where Is Eritrea Located?
Eritrea covers 117,600 km² (45,000 sq miles) and shares land borders with 3 countries. The country sits within the Africa region, Eastern Africa subregion, spanning Africa. Asmara serves as the seat of government and administrative capital of Eritrea. The country spans 1 time zone. Recognized internationally by ISO codes ER and ERI, Eritrea is an independent sovereign state and a full UN member. Its 1 currency (ERN) reflects its participation in multilateral trade and monetary frameworks.
Area
117,600 km²
Region
Africa
Subregion
Eastern Africa
Capital
Asmara
Timezones
UTC+03:00
Continents
Africa
Border Countries
Data sourced from World Bank Open Data. Last updated: April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eritrea
What is the population of Eritrea?
Eritrea has a population of 3.6M as of 2025, according to World Bank data. Life expectancy is 68.6 years.
What is the capital of Eritrea?
The capital of Eritrea is Asmara. It serves as the country's administrative and political center.
What is the life expectancy in Eritrea?
The average life expectancy in Eritrea is 68.6 years (World Bank, 2025), below the global average of 72 years. The infant mortality rate is 25.5 per 1,000 live births.
What region is Eritrea in?
Eritrea is located in Africa, specifically in Eastern Africa. It is part of the continent of Africa.
What is the size of Eritrea?
Eritrea covers an area of 117,600 km² (45,406 square miles). The population density is approximately 30.7 people per km².
What currency does Eritrea use?
Eritrea uses the Eritrean nakfa (Nfk) with currency code ERN.
What language is spoken in Eritrea?
The official languages of Eritrea are Arabic, English, Tigrinya.
Is Eritrea a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Eritrea is a member of the United Nations.
What is Eritrea's GDP?
Data not available.
What is Eritrea's GDP per capita?
Data not available.
What is Eritrea's inflation rate?
Data not available.
What is the population density of Eritrea?
Eritrea has a population density of 31 people per km², making it sparsely populated.
What is the life expectancy in Eritrea?
Life expectancy in Eritrea is 68.6 years, 3.4 years below the global average of 72 years (World Bank, 2025).
What is the total area of Eritrea?
Eritrea has a total land area of 117,600 km² (45,000 sq miles). This measurement covers the country's total sovereign territory as recorded by international geographic databases.
How many countries does Eritrea border?
Eritrea shares land borders with 3 countries (identified by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 codes: DJI, ETH, SDN). These borders define the country's overland connections to the wider region.
What is the calling code for Eritrea?
The international calling code for Eritrea is +291. To call Eritrea from abroad, dial your country's exit code (00), then 291, followed by the local number (drop the leading 0).
How do I call Eritrea from the US?
To call Eritrea from the United States, dial 011 + 291 + the local phone number (without the leading 0). For example: 011-291-5 555 555.
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