Ethiopia
Country Facts
| Population |
85.3 million (2nd largest in Africa)
|
| Language |
Amharic |
| Nationality |
Ethiopian |
| Capital |
Addis Ababa |
| Major religions |
Christianity, Islam |
| Size |
1.2 million sq km
|
| Bordering Countries |
Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan
|
| Minorities |
Tigraway, Somolie, Guragie, Sidama |
Ethiopia is the only country in Africa to have avoided imperialism and western control, maintaining its own governance throughout almost all of its 2000 year history. However, Ethiopia is not immune to the problems of the region, including severe drought, extreme poverty, uprisings leading to conflict, military rule, and a large refugee population.
After years of oppression and civil war in Ethiopia, a democratic constitution was adopted in 1994 and the first multi-party elections were held in 1995. Unfortunately, a border war with Eritrea developed. A peace treaty signed in 2000 has not been fully implemented due to continuing border disputes. Ethiopia’s wars and those in neighbouring countries have lead to a current total of about 250,000 refugees and internally displaced people.
While Ethiopia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is $66.29 billion, the majority of citizens live in extreme poverty. The major problem has been a series of droughts that have reduced agricultural income. Almost 50% of Ethiopia’s GDP is generated from agriculture and the sector accounts for 60% of exports and 80% of employment in the country.
These droughts have resulted in the average citizen living on only $1.17 per day. Food security is the most critical issues in Ethiopia, with recurring droughts and famine putting the lives of thousands of children and their families at risk. With low yearly incomes, healthcare for much of the population is hard to come by, resulting in a high instance of HIV-AIDS, infant mortality, and a life expectancy of 55 years. These health and economic concerns are accompanied by a high population growth rate with an average of 6 children born per woman.
