Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—Ethiopia’s population which now stands at 65 million is projected to reach 79 million within seven years, the local press reported Tuesday, quoting national population affairs sources.
Speaking at a workshop on birth control for female parliamentarians, Guenet Mengiste of the Ethiopia population office said efforts must by made to check Ethiopia’s 2.7 percent annual birth rate, one of the highest in Africa, in a bid to balance economic and population growth.
Guenet stated that the country’s population had increased by 15 million during the last 10 years alone and would double to 130 million from the present 65 million, if the prevailing trend continues unchecked.
She indicated that present projections anticipate an increase of 14 million in the next seven years for the Ethiopian population to reach 79 million.
Ethiopia stands third in Africa at present in terms of population after Nigeria (about 114 million) and Egypt (67 million).