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Eritrea's population is comprised nine ethnic groups, most of which speak Semitic or Cushitic languages. The Tigrinya and Tigre make up four-fifths of the population and speak different, but related and somewhat mutually intelligible, Semitic languages. In general, most of the Christians live in the highlands, while Muslims and adherents of traditional beliefs live in the lowland regions. Tigrinya and Arabic are the most frequently used languages for commercial and official transactions, but English is widely spoken and is the language used for secondary and university education.
Population:
4,135,933 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
43% (male 888,573; female 883,939)
15-64 years:
54% (male 1,104,082; female 1,122,683)
65 years and over:
3% (male 69,518; female 67,138) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.86% (2000 est.)
Birth rate:
42.71 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate:
12.3 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate:
8.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
note:
according to the UNHCR, about 150,000 Eritrean refugees in Sudan have registered for voluntary repatriation, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Sudan in January 2000
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.04 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
76.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
55.79 years
male:
53.36 years
female:
58.29 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.93 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Eritrean(s)
adjective:
Eritrean
Ethnic groups:
ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%
Religions:
Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages:
Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Literacy:
definition:
NA
total population:
25%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
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