Wolayita Zone is the most populous zone of the South Ethiopia Region, with 1,501,112 people counted in the 2007 census and about 2.19 million projected for 2022. Its capital is Wolaita Sodo, a highland city on the Addis Ababa–Arba Minch road. The zone covers 4,511.7 square kilometres and is divided into sixteen rural woredas plus town administrations.
Wolayita passed to the new South Ethiopia Region on 18 August 2023, when the former Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region was dissolved. The zone itself was not redrawn; only the region above it changed.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capital | Wolaita Sodo |
| Region | South Ethiopia (since August 2023) |
| Area | 4,511.7 km² |
| Population | 1,501,112 (2007 census) |
| Projection | about 2,191,700 (2022 CSA projection) |
| Main language | Wolaytta |
Woredas (Districts)
Wolayita has sixteen woredas. The figures below are the 2007 census counts and the 2022 projection for the twelve woredas that existed at census time; four later woredas were carved from them and are listed without separate figures.
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Boloso Sore | 197,973 | 301,147 |
| Sodo Zuria | 162,691 | 211,629 |
| Damot Gale | 151,079 | 230,022 |
| Humbo | 125,441 | 171,818 |
| Damot Pulasa | 105,157 | 144,197 |
| Kindo Koysha | 104,564 | 145,165 |
| Offa | 103,870 | 142,636 |
| Damot Sore | 100,683 | 139,440 |
| Kindo Didaye | 97,566 | 128,892 |
| Diguna Fango | 96,480 | 130,244 |
| Damot Weyde | 91,602 | 126,510 |
| Boloso Bombe | 87,956 | 115,883 |
| Abala Abaya | later split | – |
| Bayra Koysha | later split | – |
| Hobicha | later split | – |
| Kawo Koysha | later split | – |
Major Towns
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Wolaita Sodo | 76,050 | 204,100 |
| Areka | 31,408 | 84,500 |
| Boditi | 24,133 | 64,900 |
Smaller towns and rural service centres across the zone include Gununo, Gesuba, Bedessa, Bale Hawassa, Dimtu, Tebela, Gara Godo, Shanto, Bombe, Buge, Gacheno, Kercheche, Leera, Edo, Zaro, Hobicha Bada, Lasho, Hanaze and Fango.
Geography
Wolayita sits in the central highlands west of the Rift Valley lakes. Most farmland lies between 1,500 and 1,800 metres, and Mount Damota rises to 2,750 metres just north of Sodo. The zone drops eastward towards Lake Abaya and westward towards the Omo Gorge, which gives it a wide altitude range over short distances.
It borders Gamo Zone to the south and Gofa Zone to the southwest. To the north and east lie zones of Central Ethiopia Region and Sidama Region, and to the west South West Ethiopia Region.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 1,501,112 residents, of whom 366,567 or 11.49 per cent lived in towns. The Central Statistical Agency projects about 2,191,700 for 2022; that figure is a projection, not a count, because Ethiopia’s last completed census was in 2007.
Wolaytta is the first language of 96.82 per cent of residents. Protestants make up 51.34 per cent of the population, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians 43.04 per cent and Catholics 5.35 per cent.
Economy & Local Life
More than nine in ten residents farm. Enset, the false banana whose corm and stem are processed into kocho, is the staple and the reason such dense settlement is possible on small holdings. Maize, haricot beans, sweet potato and teff fill out the food crops, and coffee is the main cash crop on the wetter western slopes. Cattle, sheep and poultry are kept on almost every holding.
Wolaita Sodo is the commercial hub, sitting where seven roads meet, and hosts Wolaita Sodo University, founded in 2007. Areka and Boditi are the other main market towns.
Getting There
Wolaita Sodo lies on the surfaced road that runs from Addis Ababa through Hosaena to Arba Minch, and it is the usual overnight stop on the route south. A second surfaced road links Sodo eastward to Hawassa, and a 166-kilometre road runs west to Chida, shortening the run to Mizan Teferi. Sodo Airport serves the city; the nearest airport with regular scheduled flights is at Arba Minch.
FAQ
Where is Wolayita Zone?
It is in the South Ethiopia Region, in the central highlands west of Lake Abaya, on the main road between Addis Ababa and Arba Minch.
What is the capital of Wolayita Zone?
Wolaita Sodo, a city of about 204,100 people on the 2022 projection.
How many woredas are in Wolayita Zone?
Sixteen rural woredas, plus seven town administrations.
What language is spoken in Wolayita?
Wolaytta, an Omotic language, spoken as a first language by 96.82 per cent of residents. Amharic is used in government and schooling.
How many people live in Wolayita Zone?
1,501,112 at the 2007 census, with about 2,191,700 projected for 2022.
Which region is Wolayita in?
The South Ethiopia Region, created on 18 August 2023 out of the former SNNPR.