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Government directory
Government directory

Government of Eritrea

21 officials listed, each linked to its source.

Population3.6 million2025
Ask PollsAfricaAsk a questionAnswered from our data

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, has its capital at Asmara and a population of 3,607,003 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as an authoritarian. President Isaias Afwerki is head of state. The legislature, the National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito), a unicameral body with 150 seats, has not sat since February 2002. Kibreab Woldemariam is listed as central bank governor. The directory below lists 1 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.

Legislature

National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito)

Unicameral. Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parline

No legislature is sitting. The assembly was set up in 1994 for a four-year interim period, pending a constitution and elections. It ratified the constitution in 1997, but the national elections due that year were postponed indefinitely and have never been held, so the house has never been renewed. It has not met since February 2002. There is no current roll of members and no party composition to report.

Status checked 19 Oct 2026

As last constituted:

ChamberSeatsLast constituted
National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito)1501 Feb 1994

Seats by party

The National Assembly has not met since February 2002. It was constituted in 1994 for an interim period and has never been renewed: the elections due in 1997 were postponed indefinitely. No current roll of members is published, and the body has no party composition. Checked on 19 October 2026.

Cabinet

PortfolioHolderSince
Minister of Foreign AffairsOsman Saleh-

Sources: Eritrea Ministry of Information (Shabait) (retrieved 25 Oct 2026).

Other cabinet members

PortfolioHolderAppointed
President (President of the State of Eritrea)Isaias Afwerki24 May 1993
Minister of Trade and IndustryNesredin Mohammed Saleh-
Minister of HealthAmina Nurhusein-
Minister of InformationYemane Gebremeskel1 Jan 2021
Minister of JusticeFauzia Hashim-
Minister of FinanceBerhane Habtemariam-
Minister of EducationHalima Mohammed-
Minister of DefenceFilipos Woldeyohannes-
Minister of AgricultureArefaine Berhe-
Minister of Labour and Human WelfareKahsay Gebrehiwet-
Minister of Land, Water and EnvironmentTesfay Gebreselasie-
Minister of Local GovernmentAbdella Musa-
Minister of National DevelopmentGiorgis Tesfamichael-
Minister of TourismAskalu Menkorios-
Minister of Marine ResourcesTewolde Kelati-
Minister of Public WorksAbraha Asfaha-
Minister of Energy and MinesAlem Kibreab-
Minister of National DevelopmentGiorgis Teklemichael-
Minister of Transport and CommunicationsTesfaslasie Berhane-

Sources: Eritrea Ministry of Information (Shabait) (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); Eritrea Ministry of Information (Shabait), not named in 2026 reports (not yet checked against an official page) (retrieved 10 Oct 2026); Eritrea Ministry of Information (Shabait), ministerial title not confirmed (not yet checked against an official page) (retrieved 10 Oct 2026); CIA World Factbook, World Leaders (retrieved 26 Oct 2026).

List as of 11 Oct 2026.

Parliament, courts and independent offices

OfficeHolderSince
Speaker of the National AssemblyIsaias Afwerki-

Sources: Wikipedia: Politics of Eritrea (retrieved 23 Oct 2026).

Eritrea election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028

No national elections have been held since independence in 1991 and none are scheduled.

Africa election calendar

Economy at a glance

Full economy page
Foreign direct investment
US$82m
2025

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More data for Eritrea

Population of Eritrea

No population figure is published for Eritrea. African countries by population.

Population of Eritrea, 2015 to 2030Millions of people. From 2026 the figures are IMF projections.
3.33.353.43.453.53.552015201720192021202320252027202920303.5
3.33.353.43.453.53.55201520192023202720303.5
View the data as a table
PeriodEritrea
20153.3
20163.4
20173.4
20183.5
20193.5
2020Not published
2021Not published
2022Not published
2023Not published
2024Not published
2025Not published
2026Not published (partial)
2027Not published (partial)
2028Not published (partial)
2029Not published (partial)
2030Not published (partial)

Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Inflation and unemployment in Eritrea

No inflation figure is published for Eritrea. The ILO estimates unemployment at 6% (2025) and 10.2% among people aged 15 to 24. Inflation in Africa · Unemployment in Africa · Eritrea's economy.

Prices and jobs in Eritrea

  • Unemployment (2025)

    6.0 %

    27th lowest of 53 in Africa

  • Youth unemployment (2025)

    10.2 %

    26th lowest of 53 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Unemployment in Eritrea: ILO estimate and national survey% of the labour force. The national survey line has gaps in years without a survey.
5.566.572010201320162019202220256.0
5.566.57201020142018202220266.0
View the data as a table
PeriodILO modelled estimate
20105.9
20115.8
20125.7
20135.6
20145.6
20155.8
20165.8
20175.8
20185.8
20195.8
20206.4
20216.5
20226.0
20235.9
20246.0
20256.0
2026Not published

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Life expectancy and infant mortality in Eritrea

A child born in Eritrea can expect to live 68.9 years (2024). 34 of every 1,000 children die before age five. Life expectancy in Africa, all countries ranked.

Health in Eritrea

  • Life expectancy (2024)

    68.9

    11th longest of 54 in Africa

  • Child deaths under five (2024)

    34

    12th lowest of 54 in Africa

  • Health spending per person (2023)

    28

    48th highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Life expectancy in Eritrea against the middle African countryLife expectancy at birth, years.
6062.56567.570201420162018202020222024Eritrea 68.9Middle African country 65…
EritreaMiddle African country6062.56567.5702014201720202023
View the data as a table
PeriodEritreaMiddle African country
201465.561.8
201565.962.3
201666.262.8
201766.663.1
201867.063.2
201967.363.3
202067.063.7
202166.962.5
202267.864.6
202368.665.6
202468.965.8

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Infant and child mortality in EritreaDeaths before age five per 1,000 live births. Lower is better.
303540455020142016201820202022202434
3035404550201420172020202334
View the data as a table
PeriodEritrea
201448
201546
201645
201743
201842
201941
202039
202138
202237
202335
202434

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Literacy rate in Eritrea

64.7% of adults in Eritrea can read and write (2008, World Bank). This is the latest survey, and it is old. Literacy rate in Africa by country · Universities and exam bodies in Eritrea.

Literacy and schooling in Eritrea

  • Adult literacy (2008)

    64.7 %

    32nd highest of 52 in Africa

  • Youth literacy (2008)

    87.0 %

    24th highest of 53 in Africa

  • Education spending, % of GDP (2006)

    2.1 %

    44th highest of 52 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Human development and internet access in Eritrea

Eritrea's Human Development Index was 0.503 in 2023, 178th of 193 countries in the world (low human development). Human Development Index in Africa · Tech and internet in Africa · Learn digital skills with SR Academy.

Development and digital access in Eritrea

  • Human Development Index (2023)

    0.50

    41st highest of 54 in Africa

  • Internet users (2020)

    14.4 %

    49th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Mobile subscriptions (2022)

    59

    47th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Access to electricity (2024)

    55.3 %

    33rd highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Human development in EritreaUNDP Human Development Index, 0 to 1, against the middle African country.
0.40.450.50.550.6200020032006200920122015201820212023Eritrea 0.50Middle African country 0.…
EritreaMiddle African country0.40.450.50.550.6200020052010201520202023
View the data as a table
PeriodEritreaMiddle African country
2000Not published0.44
2001Not published0.45
2002Not published0.45
2003Not published0.46
2004Not published0.46
20050.470.47
20060.470.47
20070.470.48
20080.460.49
20090.460.50
20100.470.50
20110.480.51
20120.480.52
20130.480.52
20140.500.52
20150.480.53
20160.490.53
20170.480.54
20180.490.54
20190.500.55
20200.500.55
20210.500.56
20220.500.57
20230.500.57

Source: UNDP, Human Development Report, composite indices time series. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Is Eritrea safe?

The US State Department rates Eritrea at level 2 of 4: exercise increased caution. The homicide rate is 15.6 per 100,000 people (2012). Safest countries in Africa.

Safety in Eritrea

  • US travel advisory level (2023)

    2

    25th safest by advisory of 54 in Africa

  • Homicide rate (2012)

    15.6

    34th lowest of 37 in Africa

  • Conflict deaths (2022)

    4

    25th highest of 30 in Africa

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Coups, democracy and stability in Eritrea

Eritrea has had no successful coup, but 1 failed attempt or plot. Coups in Africa: every country.

  • 21 January 2013: Failed coup attempt
Democracy and stability in Eritrea

  • Voice and accountability (2025)

    15

    54th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Political stability (2025)

    55

    29th highest of 54 in Africa

  • Control of corruption (2025)

    16

    51st highest of 54 in Africa

Source: World Bank, Worldwide Governance Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Eritrea's debt

Government debt was 260.4% of GDP in 2019 (IMF). The largest foreign creditor is World Bank-IDA, owed 70% of public debt abroad (2024). Eritrea's debt and creditors in full · Debt in Africa.

Where Eritrea ranks in Africa

Its place among the 54 African countries on each of our Africa rankings. Each tile opens the full ranking with its source.

All Africa rankings

Cite this

PollsAfrica (2026). Government of Eritrea. Retrieved 26 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/eritrea