1. Ethiopia
ECON Fall, 2015

5. Main Ethnic Groups

6. Some History “Lucy” Discovered in 1972
Estimated era: between 3.22 and 3.18 million years

7. Some History
The earliest evidence: around 1000BC when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon.
The imperial family of Ethiopia claims its origin directly from the offspring of the Queen of Sheba by King Solomon.
First recorded kingdom in Ethiopia grew around Axum during the 3rd century BC.

8. Christianity adopted when the king was converted around 330 AD; an ancient and unique form of Christianity
Continuous conflict with the expanding Islamic movement, ultimately with the Ottoman Empire

11. Unsuccessful Italian Conquest, Defeat by the Ethiopians at the Battle of Adowa, 1896

13. Italians under Mussolini invade again, 1936,
In 1916, Haile Selassie, born Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen, was proclaimed Emperor in 1930
Italians under Mussolini invade again, 1936,
(the League of Nations did nothing)
Expelled by Ethiopians and British in 1941
Eritrian situation:
Under UK control;
Joined with Ethiopia in a Federation in 1952
Annexed outright in 1962
Guerrilla war breaks out
Independence in 1991;
Warfare with Ethiopia on and off ever since

14. Somalis invade to reclaim Ogaden
Highly inequitable pattern of development for many years; Feudal system;
1974: a social revolution and a group of junior army officers led by Mengistu Haile Miriam imposed a military Marxist dictatorship.
Expelled Americans
Some radical reforms
Somalis invade to reclaim Ogaden
USSR & Cuba back Ethiopia !
U.S. backs Somalia !

15. Radicalization under Mengistu:
‘People's committees‘ tried to control the everyday people’s lives
Many people were forcibly moved in an attempt to counter famine.
Conscription into the army called on ever man from 18 to 70 years old.
Mengistu left in 1991
Reasonable internal stability since 1991
Development record: weak, ;
Accelerated growth,

18. Basic Information on Ethiopia
Demographic:
Population: million (2011)
Population Growth Rate: 2.5% per annum
but diminishing (Doubling every 30 years)
Fertility Rate: children per woman
but falling
Life Expectancy: : years
2012: 59.7
Human Development Index:
2000: : .435
Rank in World: # 173 (of 186)

19. Economic Indicators: GDP per capita (PPP) in 2013: $ 1,305
GDP per capita (PPP) Africa: $ 3,152
GDP Growth rate, per capita,
: 1.5 % p.a.
: +/- 6 % pre year (my estimate)
Arable land per person: 1.7 hectares
Arable land as %of total: 13%
Gini Coefficient: .30
(among the most equal in the world)

20. Exports: $ 1. 28 billion; or about $16
Exports: $ 1.28 billion; or about $16.20 per inhabitant Manufactured Exports as % of Total: 13% for Africa: 34%