<P> Eritrea has an estimated population of 4,954,645 as of 2016 . No reliable census data is available, the best available estimates being published by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs . The population has doubled over the past 30 years, with an accelerating growth rate estimated at close to 3.2% p.a. during 2005--2010 . This rate of population growth is sustained despite a high emigration rate; the World Bank as of 2010 estimated that close to a million of Eritreans have emigrated . </P> <P> The nation has nine recognized ethnic groups . According to SIL Ethnologue, Tigrayans make up about 50% of the population; the Tigre, who also speak a Semitic language, constitute around 30% of residents . Most of the rest of the population belong to other Afro - Asiatic - speaking communities of the Cushitic branch . Additionally, there are a number of Nilo - Saharan - speaking ethnic minorities and other smaller groups . </P> <P> A majority of Eritrea's population adheres to Abrahamic religions . The two most followed religions are Christianity and Islam, which have an almost equal number of followers . </P>

How many ethnic groups are there in eritrea