Ethiopian Birr

Overview

Economy

• Ethiopia is a member of AU, IGAD, COMESA, Non-Aligned Movement.
• Main industries include: Food processing, Beverages, Textiles, Leather, Garments, Chemicals, Metals processing, Cement.
• Ethiopia is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are food and live animals, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles.
• Major exports include coffee, khat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds.
• GDP: $156.1 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $1,290 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 19.1% (2018 est.).
• Inflation rate: 28.7% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: China, United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, India.
• Trade agreements: COMESA FTA, African Continental Free Trade Area, Various bilateral agreements.

History

• Previous currencies used: Ethiopian dollar, Maria Theresa thaler, Salt bars.
• The birr was introduced in 1976, replacing the Ethiopian dollar. The name 'birr' means 'silver' in Amharic, reflecting its historical connection to silver currency.
• 1894: Menelik II's currency reforms
• 1945: Ethiopian dollar introduced
• 1976: Birr introduced, replacing Ethiopian dollar
• 1994: Current birr series introduced
• 2019: Economic liberalization measures
• 2021: Conflict in Tigray region impact
• Exchange rate peg: Managed float with periodic devaluations.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: ETB
• Symbols: ETB/Br
• Currency Subunits: 100 santim
• Central Bank: National Bank of Ethiopia
• Monetary Policy: Managed floating exchange rate with gradual liberalization. Focus on supporting economic development while controlling inflation.
• Bills: 1 ETB, 5 ETB, 10 ETB, 50 ETB, 100 ETB, 200 ETB
• Coins: 1 santim, 5 santim, 10 santim, 25 santim, 50 santim, 1 birr
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 56-57 ETB per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Addis Ababa
• Population: 120,812,698 (2023 est.)
• Area: 1,104,300 km²
• Languages: Oromo 33.8%, Amharic 29.3%, Somali 6.2%, Tigrinya 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Other 11.7%, English (major foreign language taught in schools)
• Time Zones: UTC+3 (East Africa Time)
• Government Type: Federal parliamentary republic
• Head of Government: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
• Independence: Oldest independent country in Africa; never colonized
• Ethnic Groups: Oromo 35.8%, Amhara 24.1%, Somali 7.2%, Tigray 5.7%, Sidama 4.1%, Guragie 2.6%, Welaita 2.3%, Afar 2.2%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, Other 13.5%
• Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox 43.8%, Muslim 31.3%, Protestant 22.8%, Catholic 0.7%, Traditional 0.6%, Other 0.8%
• Literacy Rate: 51.8% (2017 est.)
• Transport: Bole International Airport, extensive road network development, railway to Djibouti, landlocked requiring port access
• Communications: Expanding telecommunications, 25% internet penetration, growing mobile network
• Energy: Hydroelectric 95%, Wind 3%, Thermal 2%
• Countries Using This Currency: Ethiopia
• Data Sources: Central Bank: National Bank of Ethiopia (nbe.gov.et), Economic Data: Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Ethiopian Customs Commission, Demographic Data: Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia, Geographic Data: National Meteorological Agency, Historical Data: National Bank of Ethiopia archives
• Last Updated: 2025