)

Net migration rate: 7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: UNHCR began
repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from Sudan in 2001 following
the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2000
(2002 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 73.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 59.13 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 5.8 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.87% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean

Ethnic groups: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho
(Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 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%

Government Eritrea

Country name: State of Eritrea conventional short form: in Ethiopia
local short form: Ertra

Government type: transitional government note: following a successful
referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25
April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front
for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional
legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft
a constitution; Afworki ISAIAS was elected president by the transitional
legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into
effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary
elections had been scheduled to take place in December 2001, but were
postponed; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for
Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), though a draft political parties law is
under consideration

Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)

Administrative divisions: 6 regions (regions, singular - region);
Central, Anelba, Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Southern, Gash-Barka

Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

National holiday: Independence Day, 24 May (1993)

Constitution: the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993,
was replaced by a new constitution adopted