Country Profile: Ethiopia

Ethiopia, located in Eastern Africa, is the most populous landlocked country in the world, rich in cultural and religious diversity with over 80 ethnic groups. Its capital, Addis Ababa, serves as a significant political and economic hub, and its population is estimated at over 118 million. Ethiopia has a fast-growing economy, largely reliant on agriculture, but faces challenges, including widespread poverty and food insecurity exacerbated by ongoing conflicts. The country operates as a federal parliamentary republic, with a complex governance structure shaped by historical dynamics and recent political reforms.

Geography

Ethiopia is situated in Eastern Africa, bordered by Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, encompassing a total area of approximately 1,104,300 square kilometers. The country features a high plateau intersected by the Great Rift Valley, with significant elevations ranging from the highest point at Ras Dejen (4,550 m) to the lowest in the Danakil Depression (-125 m). Ethiopia's climate varies from tropical monsoon in the highlands to arid conditions in the eastern regions.

1,104,300 sq km - Total area of Ethiopia
34.1% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022)
15% - Forested area (2022)
1,814 sq km - Area of irrigated land (2020)
34.9% - Percentage of agricultural land classified as arable (2022)
0 km - Coastline, as Ethiopia is landlocked

People and Society

Ethiopia's population is estimated at 118,550,298 in 2024, comprising diverse ethnic groups with the Oromo (35.8%), Amhara (24.1%), and Somali (7.2%) being the most prominent. The nation recognizes multiple languages, with Oromo and Amharic as the primary languages. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Islam are the major religions, reflecting its historical and cultural richness.

38.7% - Population aged 0-14 years (2024)
23.2% - Urban population as of 2023
67.7 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024)
3.84 - Total fertility rate (2024)
29.6 births/1,000 population - Birth rate (2024)
47.5% - Literacy rate (2016)

Economy

Ethiopia's economy is characterized as low-income yet fast-growing, with a real GDP (PPP) estimated at $380.895 billion in 2024. Agriculture plays a crucial role, comprising 34.9% of the GDP, and the country is heavily reliant on development aid for economic reforms. Despite this growth, Ethiopia grapples with high inflation and unemployment, alongside significant social challenges.

$380.895 billion - Real GDP (PPP) (2024)
3.4% - Unemployment rate (2024)
21% - Inflation rate (2024)
54.47 million - Total labor force (2024)
80.2% - Household consumption of GDP (2024)
5.6% - Exports of goods and services (2024)

Government

Ethiopia operates as a Federal Democratic Republic, with a parliamentary system. The capital, Addis Ababa, functions as the political center. The government is defined by a 1994 constitution, and the elected bodies include a bicameral legislature. Recent reforms have aimed at fostering political stability and inclusivity, following a history of ethnic tensions and conflict.

President: TAYE Atske Selassie (since October 2024)
Prime Minister: ABIY Ahmed Ali (since April 2018)
547 - Seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives
41.9% - Percentage of women in the lower chamber (2021)
18 years - Legal voting age
12 - Number of regional states and chartered cities

Military and Security

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is responsible for military operations and internal security. The country has encountered various security challenges, including internal conflicts and border tensions. Military expenditures were around 0.7% of GDP in 2024, highlighting the government's focus on both defense and development.

150-300,000 - Estimated active-duty personnel (2025)
0.7% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024)
10,000 - Troops deployed in Somalia (2024)
1,500 - Troops deployed in South Sudan (UNMISS, 2024)

Energy

Ethiopia's energy sector is predominantly hydropower-based, providing about 96.5% of its electricity generation capacity. However, access to electricity remains limited, with 55% of the population having access as of 2022. The country is investing in expanding its energy infrastructure to meet growing demand.

5.69 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023)
12.298 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023)
1.762 billion kWh - Electricity exports (2023)
43% - Electrification rate in rural areas (2022)

Environment

Ethiopia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification, largely attributed to its agricultural practices and population pressures. The country is involved in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues while also working on sustainable development strategies.

34.1% - Agricultural land as a percentage of total area (2022)
122 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2020)
21.8 micrograms/m³ - Particulate matter emissions (2019)
6,532,787 tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2015)

Transportation

Ethiopia has a developing transportation infrastructure, which includes roads, railways, and air transport. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway is significant for trade, while the country has numerous airports catering to both domestic and international flights.

58 - Total airports (2025)
659 km - Total railway length (2017)
12 - Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

In terms of communication, Ethiopia is witnessing a digital transformation, although internet accessibility remains limited to about 17% of the population as of 2021. The telecommunications sector is expanding, with rising mobile subscriptions and new broadcasting options.

71.4 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
862,000 - Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022)
566,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	118,550,298	Estimated for 2024
Total Area	1,104,300 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$380.895 billion	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	67.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3.4%	Estimated for 2024
Inflation Rate	21%	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	55%	Estimated for 2022
Electrification (Rural Areas)	43%	Estimated for 2022
Military Expenditures	0.7% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	29.6 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024