Ethiopia population reaches 74 Million – census body

December 4, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian populations have reached 74 million according to the results of latest census conducted in May and October 2007 in the country.

On May 29 last year, Ethiopia conducted the third counting to determine demographic in the country. But the exercise was delayed to October 2007 in the northern Afar region and the south-eastern Somali region.

The Population and Housing Census Commission of Ethiopia said in a report to the House of Peoples’ Representatives on Thursday that the number of Ethiopian populations, accounted during the third census, has reached 73.9 million.

Rural population has been put at 62 million whereas that of urban at nearly 12 million. The report gives figures categorized under gender, religion, region, age grade and rural/urban demographics, among others.

The parliament endorsed the report with 278 votes for, 61 objections and 16 abstentions. The endorsement came after debate on the credibility of the counting operations between the lawmakers.

The first Ethiopian census had been conducted in 1984 and the second occurred 10 years later in 1994.

(ST)