Though statistical work in Ethiopia started many years ago, an organized system was created in the late 1950s, in part because statistical data was by then also in demand for the development of socioeconomic plans.
In 1959 there had been a conference for Statisticians of African countries in the African Economic Commission. At this conference there was an agreement among participants to submit a five year statistical action plan, which also encouraged our country to create a more organized statistical system.
With this initiative, a department that was entrusted with producing official statistical data was established under the instruction of the Minister of Trade and Industry on June 25, 1960, being accountable to same with 14 professional staff members.
The Imperial Government, in 1972, reestablished the organization by means of Order No. 74/1972 and Proclamation No. 303/1972 with broader duties and responsibilities having “Central Statistical Office” as its name.
Proclamations No. 442/2005, to rename the organization as Central Statistical Authority and Proclamation No. 449/2005 to establish the Population Census Commission, respectively, were fundamental in creating the statistical system the Agency has today.
The name “Central Statistical Agency” was given to the office in 2007 when the Council of Ministries was reestablished by Proclamation 471/2007. The current name of the Ethiopian Statistical Service is based on the proclamation No. 1263/2014 issued to reestablish the Council of Ministers in 2014
Currently, the service more than 2,500 full time professionals and 3000 temporary workers, who are involved in different activities due to the range of studies conducted. Moreover, the Agency has 25 branch offices across the nation in order to accomplish its duties and responsibilities.