Ethiopian Population

The collective forces of political turmoil, adverse climatic conditions and an all round turn down in productivity of the economy reduced the population of Ethiopia into a state of miserable poverty.

Except in 1980s, the countries economy has not been any time grew at a rate higher than that of the population. GDP grew at an average rate of:

• 2.7% between 1965 and 1980 and
• 1.9% between 1980 and 1989  

Available data show that the population increased four times between 1900 and 1988. At the beginning of the present century the crude rate of natural increase was projected at 0.3 per cent per year.

This was a far disparity from the 2.9% a year suggested by the 1984 census. The total population in 1900 was anticipated at 11.8 million.

It took 60 years this number to double to 23.6 million in 1960 whereas it took only 28 years for the population in 1960 to double to 47.3 million in 1988.  

The Population rose at average annual rate of 2.5% between 1965 and 1980 and at 2.9% between 1980 and 1989.

If the current fertility rate continues and mortality turns down as would be projected under normal conditions, it is anticipated that the population of Ethiopia may grow at the rate of 3.1 % or even more a year during the remaining part of the present century.
Keywords: population, economy, fertility rate

The distribution of Ethiopia’s population mainly is linked to altitude, climate, and soil. These physical factors explain the concentration of population in the highlands, which are gifted with moderate temperatures, rich soil, and sufficient rainfall.

• 14 percent of the population lives in areas above 2,400 meters (cool climatic zone)
• 75 percent between 1,500 and 2,400 meters (temperate zone), and only
• 11 percent below 1,500 meters (hot climatic zone), even though the hot zone includes more than half of Ethiopia’s territory.

Although census data pointed out that overall density was about 37 people per square kilometer, density varied from:

• over 100 per square kilometer for Shewa and
• seventy-five for Arsi to
• fewer than ten in the Ogaden, Bale, the Great Rift Valley, and the western lowlands adjacent Sudan

There was also great variation among the populations of the various administrative regions.

In 1990 officials expected the birth rate at 45 births per 1,000 population and the total fertility rate at about 7 per 1,000 population.

Census findings showed that the birth rate was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Ethiopia’s birth rate, high even in comparison to developing countries, is explained by:

• early marriage
• kinship and religious beliefs that encourage large families
• a resistance to contraceptive practices, and
• the absence of family planning services for most of the population

A major consequence of the high birth rate is that the population is young; children under fifteen years of age made up almost half of the population. Therefore, a large number of the population is dependent and likely to necessitate heavy expenditures on education, health, and social services.

In 1990 the death rate was projected at 15 per 1,000 population. This figure was 8.1 per 1,000 in 1984. This was a very high rate but characteristic of poor developing countries. The high death rate was a reflection of:

• the low standard of living
• poor health conditions
• inadequate health facilities, and
• high rates of infant mortality
116 per 1,000 in 1990
139 per 1,000 in 1984

Further factors causative to the high death rate contain:

• infectious diseases
• poor sanitation
• malnutrition, and
• food shortages

In Ethiopia half of the total deaths absorb children under 5 years of age. Besides, drought and famine in the 1980s, where 7 million people needed food aid, undoubtedly left many infants and children with stunted physical and mental capabilities.

Birth rates, infant mortality rates, and in general mortality rates were lower in urban areas than in rural areas. As of 1990, urban inhabitants had a life expectancy of just under 53 years, while rural residents had a life expectancy of 48 years. The favorable statistics for urban areas can be explained by:

• the wider availability of health facilities
• greater knowledge of sanitation
• easier access to clean water and food, and
• a slightly higher standard of living

There has been a solid increase in the population growth rate since 1960. Based on 1984 census data, population growth was estimated at about:

• 2.3 percent (1960-70)
• 2.5 percent (1970-80)
• 2.8 percent (1980-85)
• 2.83 percent (1985-90) and
• 2.96 percent (1990-95)

The Central Statistical Authority CSA anticipated that Ethiopia’s population could range from 104 million to 115 million by the year 2015.

Experts believe that reducing the population growth rate was a pressing need; however it could only be tackled through a relentless and comprehensive nationwide effort over the long term. As of early 1991, the Ethiopian government had shown no commitment to such a program.

If you have any view you would like to share about the topic, you’re most welcome.

Source: Ethiopian Central Statistical Authority (CSA)
 

Keywords: Ethiopia’s population, census data, Shewa, Arsi, Ogaden, Bale, the Great Rift Valley, fertility rate, death rate, deaths, life expectancy, birth rates, infant mortality rates, mortality rates, Central Statistical Authority,

Ethiopian is second populous country in Africa next to Nigeria. The population is estimated 77. Ethiopia’s population is growing fast pace, adding some two million people every year.

Although the government is investing a substantial amount of resources for social services, including health and education, this is being neutralized by the number of people requiring these services.

By the year 2050, the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau says Ethiopia’s population will increase by an amazing 120 percent.

That means in 44 years, the population of Ethiopia is anticipated to be around 169 million people.

The environment is getting worse not only in the exposed areas of the highlands of northern Ethiopia but even in the south and southwest of the country, which are the greenest areas of the country.

During the 24-year period (1980-2004), Ethiopia disastrously suffered 15 years of poor rainfall. Drought resulted in low crop production and brought on the recognized famine in the mid 1980s that left more than one million people dead.

The Ethiopian government is beginning to take the issue of overpopulation seriously. It has come up with policies to help reduce the birth rate, currently averaging six children per woman in Ethiopia.

One part absorbs a major public health plan. Over the next three years, the government has set a goal of bringing family planning services to Ethiopia’s rural areas by giving essential health training to more than 25,000 young women and deploying them to each different part of the country.

Nearly 78 percent of married women in Ethiopia either desire to space their births or end them altogether. However, the lack of money for contraceptives presents a serious problem.

The 2005 contraceptive shortage is anticipated at $12 million, and if these young girls go out and promote family planning in the countryside, that is only going to make the situation worse
 
Therefore, the Ethiopian government commitment to cover 50 percent of the cost of contraceptives, a goal, might not be realistic.

Many experts agree that much work remains to be done to tackle Ethiopia’s high fertility rate. However those efforts are in rivalry with a number of other vital development issues in Ethiopia:

• food security
• basic infrastructure
• healthcare and
• education

Keywords: Ethiopia’s population, food security, crop production,