Guide to culture, legislation and children’s welfare in Ethiopia

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Population
Language
Religion
Ethnic breakdown
Customs, cultures and belief systems
The position of children within Ethiopian society
Issues of custom or etiquette to bear in mind when working with Ethiopian families or children
The legal framework around child welfare
Issues around adoption and international movement of children
Snapshot of migration trends
Support organisations in the UK
Further information and advice

Population
88.0 million (July 2010 est.)^[1]

Language
Amarigna 32.7 per cent, Oromigna 31.6 per cent, Tigrigna 6.1 per cent, Somaligna 6 per cent, Guaragigna 3.5 per cent, Sidamigna 3.5 per cent, Hadiyigna 1.7 per cent, other 14.8 per cent, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census) ^[2]

Religion
Christian 60.8 per cent (Orthodox 50.6 per cent, Protestant 10.2 per cent), Muslim 32.8 per cent, traditional 4.6 per cent, other 1.8 per cent (1994 census) ^[3]

Ethnic breakdown
Oromo 32.1 per cent, Amara 30.1 per cent, Tigraway 6.2 per cent, Somalie 5.9 per cent, Guragie 4.3 per cent, Sidama 3.5 per cent, Welaita 2.4 per cent, other 15.4 per cent (1994 census)[4]

Customs, cultures and belief systems
Ethiopia is the largest country in the horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.