Ethiopia

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• National Day

  5/28

  Independence

  defeat of MENGISTU regime

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  Christmas or Genna as it is called in Ethiopia is celebrated on January 7 and Timkat (Epiphany) is celebrated on January 19th. Genna actually refers to a national game similar to field hockey that is played only on Christmas Day.

  Christmas dinner might consist of injera (flat sourdough bread) and dorowat (chicken stew).

  On the eve of Timkat, a procession of worshipers follows a priest bearing a tabot (ark), a replica of the biblical ark of the Covenant, to a nearby body of water where celebrations take place all night amid feasting and dancing. On Timkat morning, priests bless the water by immersing a cross, after which celebrants often wash themselves to receive blessings.

  During this time of year people make pilgrimages to 12 monolithic churches hewn from solid volcanic rock in the city of Lalibela. Legend contends that King Lalibela in the twelfth century enlisted the help of angels to build these structures which stand in two groups on either side of a gorge called the River Jordan.

  Children receive simple gifts such as clothing only on Timkat.

Dates of Interest

• December 25th

  Christmas or Genna as it is called in Ethiopia is celebrated on January 7 and Timkat (Epiphany) is celebrated on January 19th. Genna actually refers to a national game similar to field hockey that is played only on Christmas Day. Christmas dinner might consist of injera (flat sourdough bread) and dorowat (chicken stew). On the eve of Timkat, a procession of worshipers follows a priest bearing a tabot (ark), a replica of the biblical ark of the Covenant, to a nearby body of water where celebrations take place all night amid feasting and dancing. On Timkat morning, priests bless the water by immersing a cross, after which celebrants often wash themselves to receive blessings. During this time of year people make pilgrimages to 12 monolithic churches hewn from solid volcanic rock in the city of Lalibela. Legend contends that King Lalibela in the twelfth century enlist

How do people greet each other in Ethiopia?

What are the dining customs in Ethiopia?

What etiquette should I know when visiting an Ethiopian home?

How should I dress in Ethiopia?

Which gestures should I use or avoid in Ethiopia?

What is family life like in Ethiopia?

What do people do for recreation in Ethiopia?

Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 330

   Coptic Christianity introduced from Egypt.

   Coptic Christianity introduced from Egypt.

2. 850

   Outsiders found coffee in the region of Ethiopia.

   Outsiders found coffee in the region of Ethiopia called Kaffa, hence the name.

3. 1530 – 1531

   Muslim leader Ahmad Gran conquers much of Ethiopia.

   Ahmad ibn Ibrahim leads Muslim Somalis in a holy war against Christian Ethiopia, destroying churches and shrines.

4. 1818 – 1868

   Lij Kasa conquers Amhara, Gojjam, Tigray and Shoa.

   Lij Kasa conquers Amhara, Gojjam, Tigray and Shoa.

5. 1855

   Kasa becomes Emperor Tewodros II.

   Ras Kassa had himself crowned as the emperor at Axum (Ethiopia) under the name, Tewodros, and constructed an army to reunite the provinces of Tigre, Amhara and Shoa.

6. 1868

   Tewodros defeated by a British expeditionary force and commits suicide to avoid capture.

   Tewodros defeated by a British expeditionary force and commits suicide to avoid capture.

7. 1872

   Tigrayan chieftain becomes Yohannes IV.

   Tigrayan chieftain becomes Yohannes IV.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Somalia
• Tigrinya

Population

Population

126,527,060

Population in Major Urban Areas

ADDIS ABABA (capital) 2.979 million

Nationality Noun

Ethiopian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

Language Note

Amharic, a Semitic language related to Hebrew and Arabic is the official national language and is used in commerce and administration. Tigrinya is the most widely spoken daily language and Orominga is also used. The liturgical language (Geéz) of the Ethiopian Orthodox church has produced a large and vibrant literature of considerable importance. English is taught in most schools, making it the most widely understood foreign language. The Amharic alphabet has thirty-three(33) root letters or constants with seven(7) phonetics (vowels) or 231 symbols or letters. Additionally there are 40 characters that are use as combinations or shortenings of the 231 characters.

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Ethiopia has improved considerably over recent decades, reflecting significant advances in public health infrastructure, disease prevention, and access to medical care. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Ethiopia stands at approximately 67 years, with women generally living slightly longer than men — around 69 years for females compared to roughly 65 years for males. This represents a remarkable transformation from earlier figures. In the 1960s and 1970s, life expectancy in Ethiopia hovered around 40 years, weighed down by widespread famine, infectious disease, and extremely limited healthcare access. The devastating famine of 1984–1985 and periods of civil conflict suppressed gains during those years, but the decades following the early 1990s brought sustained improvements as greater political stability allowed for increased investment in health systems. Several factors have driven this increase in life expectancy. The Ethiopian government's Health Extension Program, launched in the early 2000s, deployed thousands of community health workers — known as Health Extension Workers — to rural villages across the country, dramatically expanding access to basic preventive care. Vaccination campaigns targeting diseases such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis have been particularly effective. Rates of child and under-five mortality have declined sharply over the same period, which has a direct positive effect on overall life expectancy figures. Despite these gains, Ethiopia still faces significant health challenges that temper its outcomes relative to global averages. Malaria remains a serious concern in lowland regions, and HIV/AIDS, though considerably better managed than in previous decades, continues to affect life expectancy in certain communities. Malnutrition, particularly among children under five, remains a persistent issue, especially in drought-prone and conflict-affected areas of the country. The ongoing Tigray conflict and related humanitarian crises that intensified in the early 2020s have also placed additional strain on health infrastructure and outcomes in affected regions. Access to clean water and sanitation in rural areas continues to influence health outcomes more broadly. Ethiopia's life expectancy figures remain below the global average of approximately 73 years, but the overall trajectory is clearly positive. Continued investment in rural healthcare, maternal and child health services, and disease prevention programs suggests that further improvements are likely in the years ahead, provided that stability and consistent funding are maintained.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

Very high

Infant Mortality Rate

Ethiopia's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over recent decades, reflecting major investments in public health infrastructure, community-based healthcare programs, and improved access to maternal and child health services. As of the most recent available data, Ethiopia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 35 to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births, a dramatic improvement from the rate of over 100 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s. Despite this progress, the rate remains considerably higher than the global average of around 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, and substantially higher than rates seen in high-income countries, where figures often fall below 5 per 1,000. This gap underscores the ongoing challenges Ethiopia faces in delivering equitable healthcare across a large, geographically diverse, and predominantly rural population. The leading causes of infant mortality in Ethiopia include neonatal complications such as birth asphyxia and prematurity, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, malaria, and sepsis. Many of these conditions are preventable or treatable with timely medical intervention, making access to skilled birth attendants, clean water, proper sanitation, and postnatal care critical factors in reducing deaths. Ethiopia's Health Extension Program, launched in the mid-2000s, has played a pivotal role in the country's improvements. By deploying trained community health workers — known as Health Extension Workers — to rural villages, the program has expanded vaccination coverage, promoted breastfeeding, and provided education on hygiene and nutrition. Immunization rates for diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and pertussis have increased substantially as a result. Regional disparities remain a serious concern. Infants born in rural highland regions or in areas affected by conflict and food insecurity face considerably higher mortality risks than those in urban centers like Addis Ababa. Malnutrition continues to be a compounding factor, weakening infant immune systems and increasing vulnerability to infection. Ethiopia has committed to achieving further reductions through alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which call for all countries to reduce neonatal mortality to no more than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Continued international partnerships and domestic health financing will be essential to reaching that target.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Ethiopia has improved considerably over recent decades, reflecting significant advances in public health infrastructure, disease prevention, and access to medical care. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Ethiopia stands at approximately 67 years, with women generally living slightly longer than men — around 69 years for females compared to roughly 65 years for males. This represents a remarkable transformation from earlier figures. In the 1960s and 1970s, life expectancy in Ethiopia hovered around 40 years, weighed down by widespread famine, infectious disease, and extremely limited healthcare access. The devastating famine of 1984–1985 and periods of civil conflict suppressed gains during those years, but the decades following the early 1990s brought sustained improvements as greater political stability allowed for increased investment in health systems. Several factors have driven this increase in life expectancy. The Ethiopian government's Health Extension Program, launched in the early 2000s, deployed thousands of community health workers — known as Health Extension Workers — to rural villages across the country, dramatically expanding access to basic preventive care. Vaccination campaigns targeting diseases such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis have been particularly effective. Rates of child and under-five mortality have declined sharply over the same period, which has a direct positive effect on overall life expectancy figures. Despite these gains, Ethiopia still faces significant health challenges that temper its outcomes relative to global averages. Malaria remains a serious concern in lowland regions, and HIV/AIDS, though considerably better managed than in previous decades, continues to affect life expectancy in certain communities. Malnutrition, particularly among children under five, remains a persistent issue, especially in drought-prone and conflict-affected areas of the country. The ongoing Tigray conflict and related humanitarian crises that intensified in the early 2020s have also placed additional strain on health infrastructure and outcomes in affected regions. Access to clean water and sanitation in rural areas continues to influence health outcomes more broadly. Ethiopia's life expectancy figures remain below the global average of approximately 73 years, but the overall trajectory is clearly positive. Continued investment in rural healthcare, maternal and child health services, and disease prevention programs suggests that further improvements are likely in the years ahead, provided that stability and consistent funding are maintained.

Infant Mortality Rate

Ethiopia's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over recent decades, reflecting major investments in public health infrastructure, community-based healthcare programs, and improved access to maternal and child health services. As of the most recent available data, Ethiopia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 35 to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births, a dramatic improvement from the rate of over 100 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s. Despite this progress, the rate remains considerably higher than the global average of around 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, and substantially higher than rates seen in high-income countries, where figures often fall below 5 per 1,000. This gap underscores the ongoing challenges Ethiopia faces in delivering equitable healthcare across a large, geographically diverse, and predominantly rural population. The leading causes of infant mortality in Ethiopia include neonatal complications such as birth asphyxia and prematurity, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, malaria, and sepsis. Many of these conditions are preventable or treatable with timely medical intervention, making access to skilled birth attendants, clean water, proper sanitation, and postnatal care critical factors in reducing deaths. Ethiopia's Health Extension Program, launched in the mid-2000s, has played a pivotal role in the country's improvements. By deploying trained community health workers — known as Health Extension Workers — to rural villages, the program has expanded vaccination coverage, promoted breastfeeding, and provided education on hygiene and nutrition. Immunization rates for diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and pertussis have increased substantially as a result. Regional disparities remain a serious concern. Infants born in rural highland regions or in areas affected by conflict and food insecurity face considerably higher mortality risks than those in urban centers like Addis Ababa. Malnutrition continues to be a compounding factor, weakening infant immune systems and increasing vulnerability to infection. Ethiopia has committed to achieving further reductions through alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which call for all countries to reduce neonatal mortality to no more than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Continued international partnerships and domestic health financing will be essential to reaching that target.

Country Identity

Country Name

Ethiopia

Full Country Name

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Local - Long

Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik

Local - Short

Ityop'iya

Former Name

Abyssinia, Italian East Africa

Government Structure

Government Type

federal republic

Legal System

currently transitional mix of national and regional courts

Executive Branch

chief of state: President SAHLE-WORK Zewde (since 25 October 2018) head of government: Prime Minister ABIY Ahmed Ali (since 2 April 2018) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term; prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: SAHLE-WORK Zewde elected president unanimously by the House of People's Representatives; she is the first woman to serve as head of state in Ethiopia and the only woman currently serving as a head of state in Africa

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation, or upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms), and the House of People's Representatives, or lower chamber (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms). Elections: last held on 21 June 2021 (next to be held in 2026). Election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - Prosperity Party 410, National Movement of Amhara 11, Somali Regional People's Democratic Party 24, Benishangul-Gumuz People's Democratic Party 9, Afar National Democratic Party 9, other regional and affiliated parties 84. Note: The 2021 elections were the first held under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration following a period of political reform. Voting in some constituencies, particularly in Tigray, was postponed due to ongoing conflict and security concerns, with makeup elections subsequently held in certain areas.

Judicial Branch

Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

ratified December 1994; effective 22 August 1995

Independence

oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years

National Holiday

National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)

Capital City

Capital Name

Addis Ababa

Capital - geographic coordinate

9 02 N, 38 42 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (Ye Ityopya Ayer Hayl, ETAF)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

birr (ETB)

GDP — official exchange rate

$8,819,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

6.1%

Gini Index

30