Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia, this Zone has a total population of 276,367, of whom 139,119 are men and 137,248 women. 37,615 or 13.61% of population are urban inhabitants. A total of 58,515 households were counted in this Zone, which results in an average of 4.72 persons to a household, and 56,734 housing units. The five largest ethnic groups reported in the Metekel Zone were the Gumuz, the Shinasha, the Amhara, the Awi, a subgroup of the Agew, and the Oromo ; all other ethnic groups made up 1.81% of the population. Main languages are the Gumuz, Amharic, Oromo, Shinasha and Awngi. The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 54.49% of the population reporting that they held that belief, while 20.31% were Muslim, 17.65% observed traditional religions, and 6.36% were Protestant. Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 225,284, of whom 111,986 were males and 113,299 were females; 24,147 or 10.72% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 26,272.38 square kilometers, Metekel has an estimated population density of 8.57 people per square kilometer. The 1994 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 201,521 in 45,114 households, of whom 101,134 were males and 100,387 were females; 19,607 or 7.82% of its population were urban dwellers. The five largest ethnic groups reported in the Metekel Zone were the Gumuz, the Amhara, the Oromo, the Shinasa, and the Awi, a subgroup of the Agew. Amhara is spoken as a first language by 24% and as a second language by another 10%. The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 53.5% of the population reporting that they held that belief, while 21% observed traditional religions, 18.6% were Muslim, and 4.4% were either Protestant or Catholic. According to a May 24, 2004World Bank memorandum, 8% of the inhabitants of Metekel have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 28.4 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers, the average rural household has 1.4 hectare of land and the equivalent of 0.6 heads of livestock. 10% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and an average of 28% for pastoral Regions. 93% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 25% in secondary schools. 68% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 100% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 433.
