Human Population: Ethiopia

Concept of Human Population

• Population studies refers to the total number of human inhabitants in an area like a city, country, or continent at a given time
• Human population which is given great emphasis, is studied by various disciplines including population geography
• The human population is studied because it is very dynamic by demonstrating significant quantitative and qualitative changes over time and space
• Changes in size, composition, structure, and location of human population can have policy implications
• Knowing the characteristics of the human population helps adjust to existing realities

Population Growth Trends in Ethiopia

• Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa
• In 2020, the population was estimated to be 114.9 million, ranking 12th in the world, with a growth rate of about 2.6%
• The 2007 Census recorded Ethiopia's population at 73.8 million
• Ethiopia's population is among the fastest growing in the world

Population Composition

• A country's population can be divided according to age, sex, occupation, language, religion, and other attributes
• Population composition refers to measurable aspects like age, sex, marital status, family size, economic activities, nationality, language, and religion

Age Structure

• Age structure is the classification of a population into different age groups
• It is a pattern resulting from the distribution of population members into different age categories
• The economic and cultural life of society depends on the population's age structure
• Two statistical tools for understanding age structure are age groups and population pyramids

Age Groups

• The most widely used age groups are the five-year age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 60-64, 65+)
• 0-14 represents young age or the young dependent population
• 15-64 represents working age or the economically active population
• 65+ represents old age or the elderly dependent population

Population Pyramid

• It is a graphic representation of the distribution of the population by age and sex
• In countries with high birth and death rates, the population pyramid has a triangular shape
• In developed countries with low birth rates and where fewer people die young, the population pyramid is more rectangular, narrowing near the top

Age Dependency Ratio (ADR)

• The age dependency ratio is the relationship between the working or economically active population and the non-working population
• The formula for calculating the age dependency ratio (ADR) is: ADR = ((% of population 0-14) + (% of aged 65+)) / (% of population aged 15-64) * 100

Sex Structure

• Sex structure refers to the ratio of the male population to the female population at different age groups
• It is expressed as the number of males per 100 females in a population
• A ratio greater than 100 indicates more males than females, called an excess of males
• Sex ratios can affect marriage prospects, labor force participation, and other social and economic variables

Population Distribution

• Population distribution refers to how a population spreads out over a given area of any size
• The distribution of population is indicated by population density
• Population density is the average number of people per square kilometer in a given area
• In Ethiopia, population distribution is uneven due to physical and human reasons

Measures of Population Distribution

• Population distribution is measured using population density
• Population density refers to the number of people per unit area
• Among density measures, crude density is the most widely used for measuring population distribution

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

• Ethiopia's population distribution is generally related to altitude, climate, and soil type
• Zones with very high population densities include Gedeo, Kambata, Guraghe, Wolayta and Hadiya, where densities exceed 300 persons per km²
• Peripheral zones like Kamashi and Metekel have population densities of less than 20 persons/km²
• Factors affecting population distribution are grouped into physical and human factors

Physical Factors

• Significant physical factors affecting population distribution in Ethiopia include:
  • Climate (mainly rainfall and temperature)
  • Soil fertility
  • Natural water supply
  • Relief (slope and altitude)
  • Vegetation cover

Human Factors

• Major human factors influencing population distribution in Ethiopia include:
  • Types of economic activity
  • Historical patterns of population movement

Urban and Rural Settlement Patterns

• Settlement refers to the characteristic groupings of population into occupancy units with facilities like houses and streets
• A settlement is a place where people live, carrying out various activities such as trade, agriculture, and manufacturing
• Ethiopian settlements are broadly categorized as rural and urban
• The primary bases for this categorization are the dominant economic activities and the degree of population density
• Urban settlements are usually branded by non-agricultural economic activities, while rural settlements are typically agricultural
• Settlements in Ethiopia can be distinguished by population densities; urban settlements generally have very high densities compared to the lower densities in rural settlement areas

Rural Settlement

• Rural settlements are areas characterized by low population density
• Rural settlements have an agricultural focus
• They are often rich in natural resources
• Rural settlements have community-oriented lifestyles
• Rural settlements have traditional practices
• Rural settlements have limited services
• Rural settlement is the name given to villages and dispersed (scattered) settlements
• Rural settlements are located in areas far from urban centers
• The inhabitants of rural settlements are mainly engaged in agriculture

Permanent & Temporary Settlements

• Settlements in the rural areas of Ethiopia are broadly grouped into permanent and temporary
• Permanent settlements are characterized by:
  • Stable infrastructure
  • Durable housing
  • Legal recognition
  • Social cohesion
  • Demographic stability
  • Environmental considerations
• Permanent rural settlements in Ethiopia are divided into scattered (diffused or dispersed) settlements and grouped (nucleated) settlements
• Temporary settlements are characterized by:
  • Mobile settlements inhabited by nomadic people
  • Established for specific purposes or event
  • Short-term duration
  • Flexible infrastructure
  • Minimal permanent facilities
  • Transient population (not having strong ties)

Urban Settlements

• Urban settlements are densely populated areas
• Urban settlements are always larger and compact or nodal
• Urban settlements include residences in cities and towns
• Urban settlements have always been centers of civilization
• Urban settlements are the intellectual and social capitals, performing functions of a political, educational, and social character.

Health and Disease in Ethiopia

• Ethiopia’s investment in health has improved the health and condition of its population
• Life expectancy increased from 56.8 years in 2005 to 65.5 years in 2016
• The majority of ill health in Ethiopia is related to preventable, communicable diseases and nutritional disorders
• Root causes of the population's poor health status include
  • Lack of access to clean water
  • Lack of adequate nutrition
  • Diseases related to beliefs, behaviors, and traditional practices (Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriage)
  • Lack of health services

Impacts of Population Growth

• Rapid population growth can have significant negative impacts across sectors:
  • Environment: Habitat destruction and resource depletion
  • Food Production: Increased demand and land degradation
  • Fuel Wood Consumption: Deforestation
  • Pollution: Waste generation, air, and water quality
  • Provision of Social Services: Strain on infrastructure and economic challenges

Language Diversity

• Ethiopians are ethnically diverse, with the most important differences being on the basis of linguistic categorization
• Approximately 80 languages and dialects are spoken. The Ethiopian languages belong to two super families:
  • Afro-Asiatic
  • Nilo-Saharan
• Most Ethiopian languages belong to the Afro-Asiatic super family
• The Afro-Asiatic family has three families:
  • Cushitic: Oromo, Somali, Sidama, Afar, Kembata, Hadiya, Halaba, and Gedeo
  • Semitic: Amhara, Tigrai, Gurage, Adere, and Argoba
  • Omotic: Wolaita, Dawuro, Kafa, and Konta
• Nilo-Saharan languages are spoken in the western lowlands along the border with Sudan, in Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regional States and include:
  • Kunama, Beiji, Gumuz, Mao, Kewam, Nuer, and Annuak.

Religion

• Ethiopia is home to diversified religions
• The 2007 census data shows the national religious composition of Ethiopian includes:
  • Orthodox (43.5%)
  • Islam (33.9%)
  • Protestant (18.6%)
  • Catholic (0.7%)
  • Others (3.2%)