Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Estimated population 79 million
Population density (people per square mile) 186
Population doubling time 31 years
GDP per capita US$ 505
Benchmark approximations
Population doubling time in years:
USA 79. Canada 81. Germany declining. UK 248. Russia declining. China 110. Philippines 41.
Population density (people per square mile)
USA 85. Canada 9. Germany 593. UK 660. Russia 21. China 368. Philippines 795.
GDP per capita in US$:
USA 53,000. Canada 52,000. Germany 46,200. UK 41,800. Russia 14,600. China 6,800. Philippines 2,770
RECENT HISTORY
A monarchy that was invaded and occupied by Mussolini’s Italy in 1935 resulting in Emperor Hailie Selassie going in to exile.
Ethiopia was joined to Eritrea and Italian Somaliland to form Italian East Africa.
During the Second World War Britain recognised Selassie as a full ally, who helped train a British led Ethiopian army. In 1941 following the Italian surrender, Selassie reformed his government.
In 1952 the League of Nations approved a federation joining Ethiopia to Eritrea to give Ethiopia access to the sea.
Making poor decisions in the appointment of ministers, much needed political and bureaucratic modernizations were not taken.
In 1960 an unsuccessful military coup took place. Muslim religious insurrection in Eritrea, Christian disaffection in Ethiopia, and radical student Marxists were causing rebellion throughout the country.
The army was busy putting down rebellions until in 1974 when there were a series of mutinies led by junior officers and senior NCO’s who saw the monarchy and its government as responsible the economic and social ills.
Drought and famine then hit the country.
The old and senile emperor was deposed in 1974.
Guerrilla warfare and anarchy followed.
A new Russian supported government was formed with a Marxist ideology and instituted a major land reform policy in 1975 which did nothing to alleviate the economic and social woes.
Continued insurgencies plagued the country until 1991 when after the rebels defeated the government forces, undid the Marxist reforms, instituted democracy, and gained popularity with the people a new government was formed.
In the 21st century Ethiopia is still troubled by border disputes with its neighbours and disputes over free and fair elections. Most Ethiopians do not participate in the monetary economy, and simply barter in local markets. The health of the Ethiopian economy hangs on the earnings of the agricultural sector, which rise and fall depending on rainfall. Ethiopia is therefore heavily dependent on funding from foreign donors.
EDUCATION
Ethiopia maintains two educational systems. The traditional system is rooted in Christianity and Islam. Christian education at the primary level is often conducted by clergy in the vicinity of places of worship. Higher education, with emphasis on traditional Christian dogma, is still run by most major centres of worship, the most prominent being monasteries in the northern and north-western parts of the country. Graduation from these centres leads to a position within the priesthood and church hierarchy.
Modern education was an innovation of the emperors Menilek II (reigned 1889–1913) and Haile Selassie I (1930–74), who established an excellent, though limited, system of primary and secondary education. In addition, colleges of liberal arts, technology, public health, building, law, social work, business, agriculture, and theology were opened in the 1950s and '60s.
Public education is free at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Primary education is offered for eight years and is compulsory between ages 7 and 12 (although there are only places for two thirds of eligible children). Four years of secondary education, comprising two two-year cycles, follow. There is a shortage of secondary schools, and enrolment declines further at that level. The public school system in general has deteriorated from lack of adequate funding, teaching staff, facilities, and space. Overcrowding is common.