Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA) published in 2005, Gambela has an estimated total population of 247,000, consisting of 125,999 men and 121,001 women. With an estimated area of 25,802.01 square kilometers, this region has an estimated density of 9.57 people per square kilometer.

According to the 1994 census, the total population was 181,862, of which 92,090 were males, while 88,960 were females. 84.9% of the population (153,438) lived in rural areas.

The main ethnicities of the region are the Nuer (40%), the Anuak (27%), Amhara (8%), Oromo (6%), Mezhenger (5.8%), Keffa (4.1%), Mocha (2%), Tigrean (1.6%) and other ethnic groups predominantly from southern Ethiopia 5.5%. Amharic is the working language of the region. 44% of the region's population are Protestant, 24.1% Orthodox Christian, 10.3% practice traditional religions, 5.1% Muslim, 3.2% Catholic, and others constitute 12.7%.

Gambela is the historic home of the indigenous Anuak. In recent years there has been significant violence between the Anuak and more recently arrived Ethiopians, who are generally referred to as "Highlanders".

Economy

The CSA reported that for 2004-2005 3,734 tons of coffee and tea were produced in Gambela, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. The CSA could not provide livestock estimates for Gambela.

Gambela is believed to have major oil resources. In June 2003, the Ethiopian government signed an agreement with Petronas of Malaysia for the joint exploration and development of oil resources in Gambella region. Petronas then awarded a contract for seismic data acquisition to China’s Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau (ZPEB) October of that year.