World · permanent entity record · ER

Eritrea

Thirty-second orientation

Eritrea at a glance

Capital: Asmara; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 3,607,003; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 117,600 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Eritrean(s); adjective: Eritrean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: authoritarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Eritrea through time

1993-05-28
Admitted to the United Nations
Eritrea became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	3,607,003World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 6,416,435 (2025 est.) male: 3,158,281 female: 3,258,154CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $2.1 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2011 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2011; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $689; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2011 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2011; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 68.9 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 34.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 55.3%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 14.3%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2020 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2020; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: ITU estimate., Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Asmara; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 117,600 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 3,607,003; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: nakfa (ERN); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Eritrean(s); adjective: Eritrean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: authoritarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1993-05-28; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km; islands in Red Sea 1,083 km); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, green, blue, gold; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: camel; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Soira · 9,902 ft (3,018 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression · -246 ft (-75 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Eritrea won independence from Italian colonial control in 1941, but the UN only established it as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952, after a decade of British administrative control. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year conflict for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean fighters defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been characterized by highly autocratic and repressive actions. His government has created a highly militarized society by instituting an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service -- divided between military and civilian service -- of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in 2000. Ethiopia rejected a subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 when the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Eritrean leaders then engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia led to a resumption of economic ties, but the level of air transport, trade, and tourism have remained roughly the same since late 2020. The Eritrean economy remains agriculture-dependent, and the country is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Eritrea faced new international condemnation and US sanctions in mid-2021 for its participation in the war in Ethiopia’s Tigray Regional State, where Eritrean forces were found to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. As most Eritrean troops were departing northern Ethiopia in January 2023, ISAIAS began a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at bolstering Eritrea’s foreign partnerships and regional influence. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression, and conscription and militarization continue.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 117,600 sq km land: 101,000 sq km water: 16,600 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1,840 km border countries (3): Djibouti 125 km; Ethiopia 1,033 km; Sudan 682 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km; islands in Red Sea 1,083 km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Soira 3,018 m lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m mean elevation: 853 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 62.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 56.9% (2023 est.) forest: 12% (2023 est.) other: 25.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 210 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: density is highest in the center of the country, in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarms volcanism: Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life in 2011; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society29 fields

Population: total: 6,416,435 (2025 est.) male: 3,158,281 female: 3,258,154; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.) note: data represent Eritrea's nine recognized ethnic groups; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.7% (male 1,138,382/female 1,123,925) 15-64 years: 60.3% (male 1,882,547/female 1,944,266) 65 years and over: 4% (2024 est.) (male 101,504/female 153,332); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 57.6 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 15.1 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 21.7 years (2025 est.) male: 20.8 years female: 21.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.16% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 25.92 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -7.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: density is highest in the center of the country, in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.073 million ASMARA (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.3 years (2010 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 291 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 39 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 46.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 32.8 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.5 years (2024 est.) male: 64.9 years female: 70.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.65 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 4.2% of GDP (2021) 2.4% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 0.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 7.5% (2020 est.) male: 14.7% (2020 est.) female: 0.2% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years (2015 est.) male: 9 years (2015 est.) female: 7 years (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 62.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 56.9% (2023 est.) forest: 12% (2023 est.) other: 25.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 733,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 733,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 22.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 15.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 117.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 20.5 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 2.8 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 727,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.8% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 31 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 550 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 7.315 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government24 fields

Country name: conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia etymology: the country name derives from the ancient Greek name Erythra Thalassa, meaning "Red Sea," the body of water that borders the country; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: authoritarian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Asmara geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 56 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name's origin is unclear; according to Tigrinya oral tradition, the name is part of a phrase meaning "the women made them unite," referring to a group of women who made four clans unite to defeat a common enemy; asmara also means "flowery wood" in the Tigrinya language; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); 'Anseba, Debub (South), Debubawi K'eyyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash-Barka, Ma'ikel (Central), Semienawi K'eyyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: mixed system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: ratified by the Constituent Assembly 23 May 1997 (never implemented) amendment process: proposed by the president of Eritrea or by assent of at least one half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least an initial three-quarters majority vote by the Assembly and, after one year, final passage by at least four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Eritrea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 24 May 1993) head of government: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term), according to the constitution most recent election date: 24 May 1993, following independence from Ethiopia election results: 1993: ISAIAS Afwerki elected president by the transitional National Assembly; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afwerki (PFDJ) 95%, other 5% expected date of next election: postponed indefinitely note 1: Eritrea’s authoritarian regime is controlled entirely by the president, who heads the sole political party, which has ruled the country since 1991; national elections have not taken place since 1991 and the constitution has not been implemented. note 2: the president is both chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 150 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 2/1/1994 note: in 1997, after the new constitution was adopted, the government formed a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to form a National Assembly could be held; the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all National Assembly members will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely due to the war with Ethiopia; as of 2025, no sitting legislative body exists; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): High Court (consists of 20 judges and organized into civil, commercial, criminal, labor, administrative, and customary sections) judge selection and term of office: High Court judges appointed by the president subordinate courts: regional/zonal courts; community courts; special courts; sharia courts (for issues dealing with Muslim marriage, inheritance, and family); military courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ (the only party recognized by the government); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Berhane Gebrehiwet SOLOMON (since 15 March 2011) chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 email address and website: embassyeritrea@embassyeritrea.org https://us.embassyeritrea.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Christine E. MEYER (since July 2025) embassy: 179 Alaa Street, Asmara mailing address: 7170 Asmara Place, Washington DC 20521-7170 telephone: [291] (1) 12-00-04 FAX: [291] (1) 12-75-84 email address and website: consularasmara@state.gov https://er.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 May (1991); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: a red isosceles triangle (based on the left side) divides the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower is blue; a gold wreath around a gold olive branch is on the left side of the red triangle meaning: green stands for the country's agriculture economy, red for the blood shed in the fight for freedom, and blue for the sea's bounty; the shape of the red triangle mimics the country's shape note: one of four national flags that reflect the country's shape in the flag design; the others are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Vanuatu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): camel; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): green, red, blue; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: Eritrea adopted its coat of arms on May 24, 1993, when it won independence from Ethiopia; the camel was used to transport supplies and goods during the war, and it became a symbol of the country’s success; the olive wreath represents peace, reconciliation, and harmony; under the camel is name of the country in its three official languages: Tigrinya, English, and Arabic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea) lyrics/music: SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion history: adopted 1993, after gaining independence from Ethiopia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Asmara: A Modernist African City; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy22 fields

Economic overview: largely agrarian economy with a significant mining sector; substantial fiscal surplus due to tight controls; high and vulnerable debts; increased Ethiopian trade and shared port usage decreasing prices; financial and economic data integrity challenges; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.534 billion (2024 est.) $2.465 billion (2023 est.) $2.398 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $700 (2024 est.) $700 (2023 est.) $700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.535 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (2022 est.) 6.6% (2021 est.) 5.6% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: sorghum, milk, barley, vegetables, root vegetables, cereals, pulses, wheat, beef, maize (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 1.71 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2024 est.) 5.6% (2023 est.) 5.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 9.4% (2024 est.) male: 8.5% (2024 est.) female: 10.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $633 million (2018 est.) expenditures: $549 million (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 132.8% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $624.3 million (2017 est.) $485.4 million (2016 est.) $374.898 million (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: China 67%, UAE 26%, Philippines 5%, Italy 1%, Croatia 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: copper ore, zinc ore, gold, garments, liquor (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $494.229 million (2010 est.) $435.275 million (2009 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 32%, UAE 27%, Turkey 9%, USA 7%, Italy 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: trucks, sorghum, construction vehicles, wheat flours, other foods (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $191.694 million (2019 est.) $163.034 million (2018 est.) $143.412 million (2017 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $461.376 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.075 (2024 est.) 15.075 (2023 est.) 15.075 (2022 est.) 15.075 (2021 est.) 15.075 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 55.4% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 75.5% electrification - rural areas: 36%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 243,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 388.987 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 51.528 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 89.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 10.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 2.977 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 68,200 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2.02 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: government controls broadcast media, with private ownership prohibited; 1 state-owned TV station; 2 state-owned radio networks; purchases of satellite dishes and subscriptions to international broadcast media are permitted (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .er; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 20% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 6,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: E3; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 11 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 306 km (2018) narrow gauge: 306 km (2018) 0.950-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 9 (2023) by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 1, other 4; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Assab, Mitsiwa Harbor; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF): Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force; People's Militia (aka People's Army or Hizbawi Serawit) (2024) note: police are responsible for maintaining internal security, but the government sometimes uses the armed forces, reserves, demobilized soldiers, or civilian militia to meet domestic as well as external security requirements; the armed forces have authority to arrest and detain civilians; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 10% of GDP (2019 est.) 10.2% of GDP (2018 est.) 10.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 10.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 10.6% of GDP (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: available information varies widely; estimated 150,000-200,000 active Defense Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the EDF's inventory is comprised primarily of Soviet-era weapons and equipment (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: Eritrea mandates military service for all citizens age 18-40; 18-month conscript service obligation, which reportedly includes 4-6 months of military training and 12 months of military or other national service (military service is most common); in practice, military and national service is often extended indefinitely; citizens up to the age of 59 eligible for recall during mobilization (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the military’s primary responsibilities are external defense, border security, and providing the regime a vehicle for national cohesion; the conscript-based Army is the dominant service since the country's independence in 1991, the Eritrean military has participated in numerous conflicts, including the Hanish Island Crisis with Yemen (1995), the First Congo War (1996-1997), the Second Sudanese Civil War (1996-1998), the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000), the Djiboutian-Eritrean border conflict (2008), and the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia (2020-2022); during the Tigray conflict, the Eritrean Defense Forces were accused of human rights abuses; in recent years, it has provided training support to the military of Somalia (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 119 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 3 — Eritrea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore Eritrea remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/eritrea/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Eritrea at a glance

Eritrea through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile