2014 Edition

Background

After independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afworki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service, sometimes of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. A UN peacekeeping operation was established that monitored a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone. The Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) created in April 2003 was tasked "to delimit and demarcate the colonial treaty border based on pertinent colonial treaties (1900, 1902, and 1908) and applicable international law." The EEBC on 30 November 2007 remotely demarcated the border, assigning the town of Badme to Eritrea, despite Ethiopia's maintaining forces there from the time of the 1998-2000 war. Eritrea insisted that the UN terminate its peacekeeping mission on 31 July 2008. Eritrea has accepted the EEBC's "virtual demarcation" decision and repeatedly called on Ethiopia to remove its troops. Ethiopia has not accepted the demarcation decision, and neither party has entered into meaningful dialogue to resolve the impasse. Eritrea is subject to several UN Security Council Resolutions (from 2009, 2011, and 2012) imposing various military and economic sanctions, in view of evidence that it has supported armed opposition groups in the region.

Area

117,600 sq km 101,000 sq km 16,600 sq km

total

117,600 sq km

water

16,600 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Pennsylvania

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

Coastline

2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km)

Elevation extremes

near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m Soira 3,018 m

highest point

Soira 3,018 m

lowest point

near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.58 cu km/yr (5%/0%/95%) 121.3 cu m/yr (2004)

per capita

121.3 cu m/yr (2004)

total

0.58 cu km/yr (5%/0%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 39 00 E

Geography - note

strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993

Irrigated land

215.9 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

1,840 km Djibouti 125 km, Ethiopia 1,033 km, Sudan 682 km

border countries

Djibouti 125 km, Ethiopia 1,033 km, Sudan 682 km

total

1,840 km

Land use

5.87% 0.02% 94.12% (2011)

arable land

5.87%

other

94.12% (2011)

permanent crops

0.02%

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarms Dubbi (elev. 1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011

volcanism

Dubbi (elev. 1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011

Natural resources

gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish

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

Total renewable water resources

6.3 cu km (2011)

Age structure

40.8% (male 1,307,550/female 1,293,867) 20.2% (male 644,878/female 646,518) 31.5% (male 996,856/female 1,014,798) 3.8% (male 101,549/female 138,016) 3.7% (male 102,525/female 134,246) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

40.8% (male 1,307,550/female 1,293,867)

15-24 years

20.2% (male 644,878/female 646,518)

25-54 years

31.5% (male 996,856/female 1,014,798)

55-64 years

3.8% (male 101,549/female 138,016)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 102,525/female 134,246) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

30.69 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

34.5% (2002)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

8% (2002)

Death rate

7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

83.3 % 79.1 % 4.2 % 23.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.2 %

potential support ratio

23.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

83.3 %

youth dependency ratio

79.1 %

Drinking water source

urban: 73.7% of population rural: 56.7% of population total: 60.2% of population urban: 26.3% of population rural: 43.3% of population total: 39.8% of population (2008 est.)

rural

43.3% of population

total

39.8% of population (2008 est.)

urban

26.3% of population

Education expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

nine recognized ethnic groups: Tigrinya 55%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Kunama 2%, Rashaida 2%, Bilen 2%, other (Afar, Beni Amir, Nera) 5% (2010 est.)

nine recognized ethnic groups

Tigrinya 55%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Kunama 2%, Rashaida 2%, Bilen 2%, other (Afar, Beni Amir, Nera) 5% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,200 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

17,800 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

38.44 deaths/1,000 live births 43.61 deaths/1,000 live births 33.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

33.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

38.44 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages

Life expectancy at birth

63.51 years 61.36 years 65.72 years (2014 est.)

female

65.72 years (2014 est.)

total population

63.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 68.9% 79.5% 59% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

59% (2011 est.)

male

79.5%

total population

68.9%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population

ASMARA (capital) 712,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.1 years 18.8 years 19.5 years (2014 est.)

female

19.5 years (2014 est.)

male

18.8 years

total

19.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.6 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2002 est.)

Nationality

Eritrean(s) Eritrean

adjective

Eritrean

noun

Eritrean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2008)

Physicians density

0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

6,380,803 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

2.3% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Sanitation facility access

urban: 51.6% of population rural: 3.5% of population total: 13.2% of population urban: 48.4% of population rural: 96.5% of population total: 86.8% of population (2008 est.)

rural

96.5% of population

total

86.8% of population (2008 est.)

urban

48.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

4 years 5 years 4 years (2010)

female

4 years (2010)

male

5 years

total

4 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.14 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

21.3% of total population (2011) 5.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

21.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (South), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea)

Capital

Asmara (Asmera) 15 20 N, 38 56 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 20 N, 38 56 E

name

Asmara (Asmera)

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 23 May 1997 (not fully implemented) (2014)

Country name

State of Eritrea Eritrea Hagere Ertra Ertra Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

conventional long form

State of Eritrea

conventional short form

Eritrea

former

Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

local long form

Hagere Ertra

local short form

Ertra

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sue BREMNER (since July 2012) 179 Ala Street, Asmara P. O. Box 211, Asmara [291] (1) 120004 [291] (1) 127584

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sue BREMNER (since July 2012)

embassy

179 Ala Street, Asmara

FAX

[291] (1) 127584

mailing address

P. O. Box 211, Asmara

telephone

[291] (1) 120004

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires BERHANE Gebrehiwet Solomon (since 15 March 2011) 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 319-1991 [1] (202) 319-1304

chancery

1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires BERHANE Gebrehiwet Solomon (since 15 March 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 319-1304

telephone

[1] (202) 319-1991

Executive branch

President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993) State Council the collective exercises executive authority; members appointed by the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and only election was held on 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) ISAIAS Afworki elected president by the transitional National Assembly; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5%

cabinet

State Council the collective exercises executive authority; members appointed by the president

chief of state

President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

election results

ISAIAS Afworki elected president by the transitional National Assembly; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5%

elections

president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and only election was held on 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated)

head of government

President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993)

Flag description

red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle; green stands for the country's agriculture economy, red signifies the blood shed in the fight for freedom, and blue symbolizes the bounty of the sea; the wreath-olive branch symbol is similar to that on the first flag of Eritrea from 1952; the shape of the red triangle broadly mimics the shape of the country

Government type

transitional government following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature and a Constitutional Commission was established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was named president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001 but were postponed indefinitely; currently the PFDJ is the sole legal party and controls all national, regional, and local political offices

Independence

24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch

High Court (organized into civil, commercial, criminal, labor, administrative, and customary sections with 20 judges) High Court judges appointed by the president regional/zonal courts; community courts; special courts; sharia courts (for issues dealing with Muslim marriage, inheritance, and family); military courts

highest court(s)

High Court (organized into civil, commercial, criminal, labor, administrative, and customary sections with 20 judges)

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly 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

elections

in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly 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

National anthem

"Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea) SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion adopted 1993; upon independence from Ethiopia

lyrics/music

SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion

name

"Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 May (1993)

National symbol(s)

camel

Political parties and leaders

People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afworki] (the only party recognized by the government); note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly never debated or voted on it

Political pressure groups and leaders

Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK) Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA) Eritrean National Congress for Democratic Change (ENCDC) Eritrean National Salvation Front (ENSF) Eritrean Islamic Party for Justice and Development (EIPJD) (includes the Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ), Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement (EIJM), Eritrean Islamic Salvation, and the Eritrean Islamic Foundation) Eritrean People's Democratic Party (EPDP) Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal; livestock, goats; fish

Budget

$968.8 million $1.417 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$1.417 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$968.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13% of GDP (2013 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

-$210.1 million (2013 est.) $174.5 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.094 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.057 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Economy - overview

Since formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced many economic problems, including lack of resources and chronic drought, which have been exacerbated by restrictive economic policies. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Like the economies of many African nations, a large share of the population - nearly 80% - is engaged in subsistence agriculture, but the sector only produces a small share of the country's total output. Since the conclusion of the Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 2000, the government has expanded use of military and party-owned businesses to complete President ISAIAS's development agenda. The government has strictly controled the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability; new regulations in 2013 have slightly relaxed currently controls. Few large private enterprises exist in Eritrea and most operate in conjunction with government partners, including a number of large international mining ventures that have recently begun production. While reliable statistics on food security are difficult to obtain, erratic rainfall and the percentage of the labor force tied up in national service continue to interfere with agricultural production and economic development. Eritrea's harvests generally cannot meet the food needs of the country without supplemental grain purchases. Copper, potash, and gold production is likely to drive economic growth over the next few years, but military spending will continue to compete with development and investment plans. Eritrea's economic future will depend on market reform, international sanctions, global food prices, and success at addressing social problems such as illiteracy and low skills.

Exchange rates

nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.38 (2013 est.) 15.375 (2012 est.) 15.375 (2010 est.) 15.375 (2009) 15.38 (2008)

Exports

$496.2 million (2013 est.) $454.9 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

75.1% 18.4% 15.7% 10.2% -19.4% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

10.2%

government consumption

18.4%

household consumption

75.1%

imports of goods and services

-19.4%

investment in fixed capital

15.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

11.7% 26.9% 61.4% (2013 est.)

agriculture

11.7%

industry

26.9%

services

61.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2013 est.) $1,100 (2012 est.) $1,100 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2013 est.) 7% (2012 est.) 8.7% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.438 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.717 billion (2013 est.) $4.409 billion (2012 est.) $4.12 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

13% of GDP (2013 est.) 10.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 5.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.027 billion (2013 est.) $972.8 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2013 est.)

Industries

food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13% (2013 est.) 17% (2012 est.)

Labor force

2.955 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

80% 20% (2004 est.)

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Public debt

104.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 125.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$192.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) $174.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.077 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.602 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.777 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.798 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.396 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

625,600 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

253.5 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

98.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

140,800 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

292.5 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,480 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government controls broadcast media with private ownership prohibited; 1 state-owned TV station; state-owned radio operates 2 networks; purchases of satellite dishes and subscriptions to international broadcast media are permitted (2007)

Internet country code

.er

Internet hosts

701 (2012)

Internet users

200,000 (2008)

Telephone system

inadequate; most fixed-line telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system; cell phones in increasing use throughout the country combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership is less than 5 per 100 persons country code - 291 (2011)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership is less than 5 per 100 persons

general assessment

inadequate; most fixed-line telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system; cell phones in increasing use throughout the country

international

country code - 291 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

60,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

305,300 (2012)

Airports

13 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

9

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2010)

total

4

Ports and terminals

Assab, Massawa

major seaport(s)

Assab, Massawa

Railways

306 km 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2008)

total

306 km

Roadways

4,010 km 874 km 3,136 km (2000)

total

4,010 km

unpaved

3,136 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

1,350,446 1,362,575 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,362,575 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,350,446

Manpower fit for military service

896,096 953,757 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

953,757 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

896,096

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

66,829 66,731 (2010 est.)

female

66,731 (2010 est.)

male

66,829

Military branches

Eritrean Armed Forces: Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2011)

Eritrean Armed Forces

Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service; 16-month conscript service obligation (2012)

Disputes - international

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups; in 2008 Eritrean troops moved across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupied Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red Sea

Refugees and internally displaced persons

10,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; it has not been possible to confirm whether remaining IDPs are still living with hosts or have been returned or resettled) (2009)

IDPs

10,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; it has not been possible to confirm whether remaining IDPs are still living with hosts or have been returned or resettled) (2009)

Trafficking in persons

Eritrea is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and, to a lesser extent, sex and labor trafficking abroad; the country's national service program is often abused to keep conscripts indefinitely and to force them to perform labor outside the scope of their duties; each year large numbers of migrants, often fleeing national service, depart Eritrea in search of work, particularly in the Gulf States, where some are likely to become victims of forced labor; Eritrean children working in various economic sectors, including domestic service, street vending, small-scale manufacturing, garages, bicycle repair shops, tea and coffee shops, metal workshops, and agriculture may be subjected to conditions of forced labor; some Eritrean refugees from Sudanese camps are extorted and tortured by traffickers as they are transported through the Sinai Peninsula Tier 3 - Eritrea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the Eritrean Government does not operate with transparency and has published neither data nor statistics regarding its efforts to combat human trafficking; the government did not report prosecuting or convicting any traffickers and did not identify or refer any victims to protective services in 2012; authorities largely lack an understanding of human trafficking, confusing it with all forms of transnational migration from Eritrea; the government made its first-ever efforts to prevent trafficking, warning about the hazards its citizens faced when attempting to migrate abroad (2013)

current situation

Eritrea is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and, to a lesser extent, sex and labor trafficking abroad; the country's national service program is often abused to keep conscripts indefinitely and to force them to perform labor outside the scope of their duties; each year large numbers of migrants, often fleeing national service, depart Eritrea in search of work, particularly in the Gulf States, where some are likely to become victims of forced labor; Eritrean children working in various economic sectors, including domestic service, street vending, small-scale manufacturing, garages, bicycle repair shops, tea and coffee shops, metal workshops, and agriculture may be subjected to conditions of forced labor; some Eritrean refugees from Sudanese camps are extorted and tortured by traffickers as they are transported through the Sinai Peninsula

tier rating

Tier 3 - Eritrea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the Eritrean Government does not operate with transparency and has published neither data nor statistics regarding its efforts to combat human trafficking; the government did not report prosecuting or convicting any traffickers and did not identify or refer any victims to protective services in 2012; authorities largely lack an understanding of human trafficking, confusing it with all forms of transnational migration from Eritrea; the government made its first-ever efforts to prevent trafficking, warning about the hazards its citizens faced when attempting to migrate abroad (2013)