Introduction
Background
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced periods of ethnic-based violence.
Geography
Area
total : 1,104,300 sq km
land: 1,096,570 sq km
water: 7,730 sq km
Climate
tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Natural resources
small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 118,550,298
Ethnic groups
Oromo 35.8%, Amhara 24.1%, Somali 7.2%, Tigray 5.7%, Sidama 4.1%, Guragie 2.6%, Welaita 2.3%, Afar 2.2%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, other 13.5% (2022 est.)
Languages
Oromo (official regional working language) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official regional working language) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official regional working language) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official regional working language) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (2007 est.)
Religions
Ethiopian Orthodox 43.8%, Muslim 31.3%, Protestant 22.8%, Catholic 0.7%, traditional 0.6%, other 0.8% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate
2.37% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Addis Ababa
Executive branch
chief of state: President SAHLE-WORK Zewde (since 25 October 2018)
head of government: Prime Minister ABIY Ahmed Ali (since April 2018)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (153 seats) and the House of People's Representatives (547 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador SELESHI Bekele Awulachew (since 7 June 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ervin MASSINGA (since 4 October 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
growing Horn of Africa construction- and services-based economy; port access via Djibouti and Eritrea; widespread but declining poverty; COVID-19, locust invasion, and Tigray crisis disruptions; public investment increases; second largest African labor force
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$354.604 billion (2023 est.)
$332.968 billion (2022 est.)
$316.145 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$2,800 (2023 est.)
$2,700 (2022 est.)
$2,600 (2021 est.)
Exports
$10.865 billion (2023 est.)
$10.971 billion (2022 est.)
$9.496 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 17%, US 13%, Germany 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Somalia 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
coffee, gold, garments, cut flowers, vegetables (2022)
Imports
$22.951 billion (2023 est.)
$24.187 billion (2022 est.)
$20.859 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 24%, US 9%, India 8%, UAE 6%, UK 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
wheat, refined petroleum, fertilizers, vaccines, palm oil (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
