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Which Country Is 7 Years Behind?

Published in Ethiopian Calendar 2 mins read

Ethiopia is the country whose calendar is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, the calendar used by most of the world.

Why is Ethiopia's Calendar Different?

Ethiopia utilizes a unique calendar system, based on the ancient Coptic calendar. This calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar primarily in its calculation of the birth year of Jesus Christ and its structure. The Ethiopian calendar places the birth year of Jesus Christ seven to eight years later than the Gregorian calendar. This difference, coupled with a 13-month structure (including a 13th month called Pagume), results in Ethiopia's calendar being consistently seven to eight years behind.

For example, while the Gregorian calendar shows the year 2024, the Ethiopian calendar currently displays a year between 2016 and 2017. This difference is not a matter of being "behind" in a technological or developmental sense, but rather reflects a distinct and historically significant calendar system. The new year in Ethiopia, Enkutatash, is celebrated in September, coinciding with the blooming of the Adey Abeba flower.

Several sources confirm this:

  • Times of India: "Unlike the Western Gregorian calendar with 12 months, Ethiopia follows a 13-month calendar, placing it seven years behind."
  • CNN: "On September 11, Ethiopians will officially celebrate the beginning of the year 2017. So why is this East African country's calendar seven years behind...?"
  • Miami Herald: "Owing to its unique calendar, Ethiopia is, at any given time, between seven and eight years ”behind” most other countries, which use the Gregorian calendar."
  • The Culture Trip: "When you first set foot in the country, you can't help but notice that Ethiopia has a calendar which is seven to eight years behind the rest of the world."
  • Embassy of Ethiopia: "Based upon the ancient Coptic Calendar, the Ethiopian Calendar is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian Calendar, owing to alternate calculations in determining the birth of Christ."