In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced an improvement in its economic
performance. Over FY93-97, GDP growth averaged about 8 percent per year and
inflation remained low. The end of the civil war, economic reform and better
economic management contributed to this improved performance, assisted by
improved weather conditions. Nevertheless, reported per capita GNP of $110 is one
of the lowest in the world and well below the African average. During the twenty
years of civil war until 1991 and after two of the worst droughts this century, reported
per capita income declined to about half of the level of the1970s.