Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 2,346,068, of whom 1,160,735 were males and 1,185,333 were females; 251,810 or 10.7% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 14,103.62 square kilometers, Misraq Gojjam has an estimated population density of 166.35 people per square kilometer.[1]
According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 8% of the inhabitants of Misraq Gojjam have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 24.2 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers)[2], the average rural household has 1.1 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 0.75 for the Amhara Region)[3] and the equivalent of 0.6 heads of livestock. 11.4% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a Regional average of 21%. 66% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 13% in secondary schools. 61% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 30% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 447.[4]
This Zone was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2004 as one of several areas for voluntary resettlement for farmers from overpopulated areas; no specific woredas in this Zone were identified in this program. Misraq Gojjam became the new home for a total of 20,000 heads of households and 80,000 total family members.[5]
