Special Report: Population, Development, and Environment in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has been synonymous with disastrous famine since the 1980s. In the years since, drought and famine have continued to plague the country, and scholars and practitioners have sought to analyze the causes and mitigate the consequences. Population growth is one of the most critical drivers shaping the country’s future, as its social infrastructure and agricultural land are unable to support its growing numbers, and thus many Ethiopians remain trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, disease, and hunger. The key to achieving sustainable growth lies in reducing the rate of population growth, managing the environment, and building the platform for development.