Facts About Ethiopia
Selami! That’s how you say “hello” in Amharic, one of the official languages of Ethiopia. This country in Africa is known for its rich traditions, including its formal coffee ceremony between friends and family. Learn more Ethiopia facts here.
5 Interesting Ethiopia Facts
Here are five fun facts about Ethiopia:
Where Is Ethiopia?
Ethiopia is in East Africa, within a region called the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan.
Key Challenges in Ethiopia & Our Response
Ethiopian culture is rich, full of things to do, taste, see and explore. However, the country is also home to thousands of children living in impoverished communities. These children face the devastating and life-altering challenges of poverty daily.
Malnutrition & Poor Medical Care Harm Children From Birth
Children in Africa are at high risk of death from a young age. In Ethiopia, the under-5 mortality rate is high at 46.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Unfortunately, this is caused by many factors that can stem from poverty, including malnutrition and poor medical care.
Our Response: Survival Programs Provide Critical Care
We believe all children should be given the chance to thrive. Through our Survival programs in Africa, we provide medical care, nutrition support and even delivery care to moms and babies living in poverty.
This critical care continues through a baby’s first year of life, giving them a healthy foundation for growth. After this they’re eligible to be sponsored by someone like you!
Lack of Education Stops Children From Becoming Self-Sufficient
According to UNICEF, only 33.1% of children make it to secondary school in Ethiopia. Around 90% of 10-year-old children in Ethiopia don’t know how to read. And crises and conflicts have resulted in millions of children being out of school in Ethiopia.
Unfortunately, children without educations often lack the skills needed to become self-sufficient adults. This leaves them unable to provide for themselves or their families, keeping them trapped in poverty.
Our Response: Educational & Vocational Opportunities Help Kids Succeed
At Compassion, we provide the educational tools children need to attend school, from supplies and tuition to tutoring. We also provide vocational opportunities so children can learn job skills and become certified in their areas of interest. As a result, they can become financially self-sufficient.
Our Impact in Ethiopia
Compassion has proudly served the children and families living in Ethiopia for three decades. In that time, we’ve helped release thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship.
Data as of: September 16, 2026
139,589
614
32
Sponsor Letters Give Hope to Children in Ethiopia & Beyond
In Ethiopia and beyond, messages from sponsors deliver hope to thousands of children in the Compassion program. See the power your messages hold through the eyes of these children.
Ethiopian Coffee Brings Vulnerable Moms Together
In Compassion Survival programs, new and expecting moms get together to read the Bible, attend training and connect with one another during traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies.
How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Ethiopia
You can help Compassion fight back against child poverty in Ethiopia in three key ways: