Urbanization Level and Tempo (Speed) in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract The study attempts to study the level and tempo or speed of urbanization in the Tigray regional state based on census data from 1994-2013 in Ethiopia. The level of urbanization at the regional level was found in 1994, 2007, and 2020 at 14.9%, 21.7%, and 27.7 % respectively. Whereas the level of urbanization varies among the zones of the region, the higher level of urbanization was recorded in the Eastern zone followed by the Western, Southern Zone and Central zone of Tigray. The tempo or speed of urbanization was determined to be 0.49 percent per year at the regional level, with the Eastern area of Tigray showing the greatest tempo or speed of urbanization. The unbalanced urbanization among the zones results in socio-economic challenges. The study recommends several policy interventions given in the conclusion part aimed at judicious urbanization suitable for sustainable development.