Amhara National Regional State

Amhara is the second largest state in the country, both in area and population. It is also one of the poorest: In 2000, 42 per cent of the population did not have access to sufficient food (absolute food poverty index), and the per capita expenditure during the same period was Birr1088 (US132.36).

Over 90 per cent of the population live in the rural areas and live off subsistence farming and raising livestock (the region has the second largest number of cattle in the country).

The region is notable for its young population. 47 per cent are under 18, and only 3.9 percent of the population are aged 65 and above.

Overall, only 23 per cent of adults are literate. This drops to 16 per cent for women. In 2000, just over half of all eligible children were enrolled in primary school. However, on a more positive note there is little difference between enrolment rates for boys and girls (56 per cent male and 53 per cent female).

In 2001, 43 per cent of the population lived within a 10 km radius of a health facility, and just under half of all children under the age of one had received the DPPT3 vaccination.

Amhara is home to some of Ethiopia's most well-known tourist sites – the Castle of Gonder and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibella – and the region may see tourism develop in the future.

Source: Central Statistics Authority (2000) Welfare Monitoring Survey
Health Sector Development Mid-term Review Report (2001)
Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (2002)