Ethiopia's Economy
Ethiopia at a Glance
An overview of Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country with over 120 million people, its fast growth in the 2000s and 2010s, and its challenges.
Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country, after Nigeria, with over 120 million people.
Fast growth
From the mid-2000s to the late 2010s, Ethiopia grew among the fastest in the world, often near 10% a year by official figures.
Still poor
Despite growth, average incomes remain low, and most people work in farming.
Landlocked
Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea became independent in 1993, and relies on Djibouti’s port.
History
Ethiopia was never colonised (apart from Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941), and it suffered severe famines, including in 1983-85.
In the 1980s, famine images defined Ethiopia; by the 2010s, cranes filled Addis Ababa's skyline.
It had one of the world's fastest growth runs.
- Ethiopia has over 120 million people.
- It grew very fast from the mid-2000s.
- Incomes remain low.
- It is landlocked and relies on Djibouti.
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