East African Agriculture and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis - Ethiopia

CURRENT CONDITIONS The main crops in Ethiopia are teff, maize, and wheat. The population is about 79 million people. Life expectancy has been rising steadily, from less than 40 years in 1960 to about 55 years in 2008. Child mortality decreased gradually from about 270 cases per 1,000 births in 1960 to 210 cases per 1,000 births in 1980. The level remained constant through the 1990s and declined to 100 cases per 1,000 births by 2008. The combined effect of declining child mortality and increasing life expectancy has produced an overall population increase, putting additional pressure on the land to meet food requirements. More than 80 percent of Ethiopians live below the poverty line and are therefore vulnerable to small shocks and less able to recover from them.