Facts & Links

Health Status

Despite its beautiful landscape, the health status of the people of Ethiopia is poor in relation to the even low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. Health indicators are generally poor.

Total population: 81,021,000
Gross national income per capita (PPP international $): 630
Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 55/58
Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 41/42
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 123
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 358/294
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 22
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 4.9

Figures are for 2006 unless indicated. Source: World Health Statistics 2008

The major determinants of ill-health in Ethiopia noted by WHO include:

Living conditions - about 45% of Ethiopians live on less than $1 US per day
Literacy rate - adult literacy is 36% (46% for males, 25% for females). Primary school enrollment is approximately 57%
Access to safe drinking water - a 1999 study found that only 33% of the population had access to safe drinking water (80% in urban areas, 14% in rural areas)
Sanitation facilities - sanitation coverage is estimated at 25%
Health care access - Who estimates that 75% of urban and 42% of rural dwellers have access to health care facilities
Agricultural productivity and food safety - low agricultural productivity and recurring drought are responsible for severe nutritional deficiencies
Unemployment/underemployment/migration - approximately 1/5 of the population are migrants
Status of women - violence against women is still prevalent in Ethiopia and harmful traditional practices have negative consequences for women's health

WHO Country Cooperation Strategy;Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 2002-2005

Links

Map of northern Ethiopia

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/maps/map_country_ethiopia.html

Overview of Ethiopia

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_ethiopia.html

http://www.mfa.gov.et/Facts_About_Ethiopia/Government_Political_System.php

Health care in Ethiopia

http://www.who.int/countries/eth/en/

http://www.cartercenter.org/health/ephti/index.html

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationEthiopia.aspx

http://www.afro.who.int/home/countries/fact_sheets/ethiopia.pdf