Country Profile: Eritrea

Eritrea, located in Eastern Africa along the Red Sea, is bordered by Djibouti and Sudan. With a population estimated at over 6.4 million in 2025, it has a primarily agrarian economy that is one of the poorest in Africa, heavily reliant on agriculture and mining. The country has been under the autocratic rule of President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, leading to a highly militarized society due to mandatory conscription policies. Despite recent diplomatic engagements improving relations with neighboring Ethiopia, repression remains a significant issue within Eritrean governance.

Geography

Eritrea's strategic location enhances its geopolitical significance, situated along one of the world's busiest shipping routes. The country has a diverse landscape, featuring highlands, coastal deserts, and hilly terrains, with an area of 117,600 square kilometers.

2,234 km of coastline along the Red Sea
62.7% of land designated for agriculture (2023 est.)
12% of the land is forested (2023 est.)
3,018 m is the highest point at Soira
-75 m is the lowest point near Kulul in the Danakil Depression

People and Society

Eritrea's population, estimated at 6,416,435 in 2025, is ethnically diverse, with Tigrinya making up 50% of the population. The country has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 21.7 years.

35.7% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.)
4% elderly population (age 65 and over, 2024 est.)
43.3% urban population (2023)
25.92 births/1,000 population (birth rate, 2025 est.)
67.5 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)

Economy

Eritrea's economy is primarily agrarian with a focus on agriculture and mining. Despite a substantial fiscal surplus due to strict fiscal policies, the country faces significant economic challenges, including high levels of debt and dependence on international support.

$2.535 billion GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.)
5.6% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
700 USD GDP per capita (2024 est.)
10% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2019 est.)
9.4% youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24, 2024 est.)

Government

Eritrea is governed under an authoritarian regime with no active elections since independence in 1993. President Isaias Afwerki has maintained control over the political landscape, and the constitution remains unimplemented.

Capital: Asmara
18 years is the minimum voting age for universal suffrage
The National Assembly has 150 members, all indirectly elected
Citizenship is based on descent, with no dual citizenship recognized
The only political party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)

Military and Security

Eritrea maintains a strong military presence, with mandatory conscription policies resulting in a highly militarized society. The military plays a significant role both in external defense and internal security.

150,000-200,000 active military personnel estimated (2025)
All citizens aged 18-40 are subject to mandatory military service
Military expenditures constituted 10% of GDP (2019 est.)
The Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) includes Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force
Previous military conflicts include the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000) and involvement in the Tigray conflict (2020-2022)

Energy

Eritrea's energy infrastructure is still developing, with a significant reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. The electrification rate reflects disparities between urban and rural access to power.

55.4% overall electrification rate (2022 est.)
243,000 kW installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption of 388.987 million kWh (2023 est.)
89.1% of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023 est.)
5,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Eritrea's environmental challenges include deforestation, desertification, and soil erosion. The nation is part of several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

12% of land area is forested (2023 est.)
Total water resources are 7.315 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
733,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
6.8% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.)
550 million cubic meters of water used for agricultural purposes (2022 est.)

Transportation

Eritrea's transportation network includes roads, railways, and airports, although infrastructure development remains limited.

11 airports are operational (2025)
306 km of railways (2018)
The country has 2 main ports: Assab and Mitsiwa Harbor
9 total merchant marine vessels (2023)
Limited civil aviation services, with a focus on regional connectivity

Communications

The communication landscape in Eritrea is tightly controlled by the government, resulting in limited access to independent media sources and the internet.

2.02 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.)
Only 20% of the population uses the internet (2023 est.)
68,200 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022 est.)
6,000 broadband fixed subscriptions (2022 est.)
Private ownership of broadcast media is prohibited

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,416,435 (2025 est.)
Area	117,600 sq km
GDP	$2.535 billion (2024 est.)	At official exchange rate
Energy Consumption	2.977 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	25.92 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.6%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	67.5 years	(2024 est.)
Electrification Rate	55.4%	(2022 est.)
Military Expenditure	10% of GDP	(2019 est.)
Urban Population	43.3%	(2023)