Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa, and its capital is Addis Ababa. It has a population of approximately 132,059,767 and covers an area of about 1,136,240 km². Its official currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB).
What stands out
People & place
116 /km² across 1,136,240 km²
Ethiopia has a recorded population of 132,059,767 and a reported surface area of 1,136,240 km².
Economic snapshot
$149.74 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $149.74 billion and GDP per capita at $1,134 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Ethiopia, the cradle of humanity in the Horn of Africa, dazzles visitors with its ancient heritage, soaring mountain ranges, and a tapestry of cultures that have flourished for millennia.
Dominated by the rugged Ethiopian Highlands — often called the "Roof of Africa" — the country boasts dramatic plateaus, deep rift valleys, and the Great Rift Valley’s chain of lakes, while the lowlands descend toward the arid Somali and Omo basins, creating a striking diversity of landscapes.
Ethiopia’s vibrant culture blends over 80 ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, music, and dress; its iconic coffee ceremony, luscious injera flatbread, and dazzling Meskel festival of light showcase a rich culinary and celebratory tradition that is both communal and timeless.
A pivotal moment came in 1935‑1941 when Ethiopia bravely resisted Italian invasion, emerging as one of the few African nations to retain its sovereignty throughout colonial rule, a legacy that fuels its strong sense of national pride today.
Key facts
Home to the world’s oldest known hominid fossils, including the famous "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis).
Population of over 120 million people, making it Africa’s second‑most populous nation.
Ethiopia follows its own calendar, which is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian system and has 13 months.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Ethiopia has a recorded population of approximately 132,059,767 people.
How big is Ethiopia?
Ethiopia covers an area of about 1,136,240 km².
What is the population density of Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has a population density of roughly 116 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $149.74 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has a GDP per capita of approximately $1,134.
What currency is used in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB), with the symbol Nkf.
Where is Ethiopia located?
Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa, Africa.
What is the native name of Ethiopia?
The native name of Ethiopia is ኢትዮጵያ.
What are people from Ethiopia called?
People from Ethiopia are referred to as Ethiopian.
What is the phone calling code for Ethiopia?
The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251.
What is the internet domain for Ethiopia?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Ethiopia is .et.
What time zone is Ethiopia in?
Ethiopia uses the Africa/Addis_Ababa time zone.
What is Ethiopia known for?
Ethiopia, the cradle of humanity in the Horn of Africa, dazzles visitors with its ancient heritage, soaring mountain ranges, and a tapestry of cultures that have flourished for millennia.
Eastern Africa