Ethiopia Factbook

Ethiopia has known Christianity since the 4th century and has seen terrific growth among evangelicals over the last 70 years. However, challenges abound. The war-torn economy has left many in severe poverty, and the steady rise of Islam threatens the freedom Christians now enjoy.

Ethiopia is located in northeastern Africa. With the independence of Eritrea, Ethiopia has no direct connection with the Red Sea. Besides Eritrea, Ethiopia borders on Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan. The land is mostly mountains and high plateaus with warm temperatures and often inconsistent rains.

Approximately 73 million people live in Ethiopia. Years of war drove many away to neighboring countries. Only recently have some of these people begun to return.

Ethiopia's economy is based largely on agriculture. Because rain patterns are erratic, crop failures due to drought are a frequent occurrence. The rise of Marxism in 1974 only made matters worse. The country's infrastructure is poor, and with continued fighting, the prospects for economic improvement in the near term are dim.

The ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained freedom from colonial rule. The only period during which Ethiopia was not independent was from 1936 to 1941 when Italy occupied the country. In 1974, a Marxist coup overthrew the monarchy. Christianity was brutally repressed under Italian rule and under communism. In 1991, the Marxist government fell, and a multi-party democracy was established. The country has continued to suffer from internal fighting, and a border war with Eritrea, which broke out in May 1998, ended in 2000.

Ethiopia has known Christianity for centuries. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was the official state church until 1974. Evangelicals began to grow in number in the early 1900's and now account for nearly 15% of the population.

Evangelicals suffered the most under the Italians and communism, but those periods seem to have had a refining effect on the church. In addition to the many evangelical Protestant churches, there are a few evangelicals in the Orthodox church. Since the fall of communism, Christians have enjoyed unprecedented freedom.

Unfortunately, that freedom is being challenged. Islam prospered under communist rule. Today, one third of the population is Muslim, and the number is growing.

Under communism, mosques were being built while church buildings were destroyed. Most of those converting to Islam are coming from traditional African religions or are nominal members of the Orthodox church. Muslim leaders are pushed for greater imposition of Islamic law. Pray that Christians will maintain the freedom to worship and evangelize.

Pray for missions as they reestablish their presence after years of communist rule. Pray for the Christians who have suffered much in the past and live a difficult existence in the present. Pray for opportunities to reach the Muslim community. Pray for revival among the Muslims and a turning of the tide in their desire to silence Christians.

Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison

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