If you just touched down at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, looking at your phone might give you a mild case of vertigo. You left home in 2026. But according to the local newspapers, the billboard ads, and the date on your receipt for a shot of world-class macchiato, it is actually 2018.
No, you didn't fly through a wormhole. You're just in Ethiopia.
Understanding which year is ethiopia now is the first thing every traveler or curious mind has to wrap their head around. Right now, as the rest of the world has officially ticked over into 2026, Ethiopia is comfortably cruising through the year 2018. It’s a seven-to-eight-year gap that makes people joke about Ethiopia being the land where you can literally travel back in time. But for the 120 million people living there, it’s not a gimmick. It’s the rhythm of life.
The 13th Month and the Seven-Year Gap
The Ethiopian calendar, often called the Ge’ez calendar, is a solar-based system that stays stubbornly unique in a globalized world. Most of us use the Gregorian calendar. We've got 12 months. Some have 30 days, some have 31, and February is just doing its own thing.
In Ethiopia? They keep it much more consistent.
A year in Ethiopia consists of 13 months. You heard that right. Twelve of those months are exactly 30 days long. Every single one of them. Then, at the very end of the year, there’s a "mini-month" called Pagume. It lasts five days in a normal year and six days during a leap year. This is why the Ethiopian Tourism Organization used to use the slogan "13 Months of Sunshine." It’s technically true.
The big question is always why the years don't line up. It basically comes down to a massive theological disagreement from centuries ago.
When the Catholic Church decided to calculate the birth of Jesus Christ back in 525 AD, they changed their math. A monk named Dionysius Exiguus did some number crunching and the West followed along. However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church stuck to the older, Alexandrian calculations. They believe Christ was born seven or eight years later than what the Gregorian calendar claims.
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So, while the West "skipped ahead" to align with Rome’s new math, Ethiopia stayed the course.
Which Year is Ethiopia Now: Breaking Down the Dates
To be super precise, Ethiopia entered the year 2018 on September 11, 2025.
Because the Ethiopian New Year—called Enkutatash—happens in September rather than January, the "gap" between our years changes throughout our calendar cycle.
- From January 1 to September 10 (or 11): Ethiopia is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
- From September 11 to December 31: Ethiopia is 7 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
So, for most of 2026, you'll find Ethiopia living in 2018. When September 11, 2026, rolls around, they will celebrate their New Year and move into 2019, while we are still finishing up 2026.
It sounds like a logistical nightmare, doesn't it? Honestly, it’s surprisingly manageable. Most Ethiopians who deal with international business or travel are "bilingual" in calendars. They know that if an airline ticket says January 13, 2026, that’s the global standard. But if they are inviting a neighbor over for a coffee ceremony for a local holiday, they’re looking at the Ge’ez dates.
The Names of the Months
Just for the flavor of it, here is how the Ethiopian year looks. It doesn't start with January. It starts with Meskerem, which is that beautiful time in September when the heavy rains stop and the yellow daisies (Adey Abeba) cover the highlands.
- Meskerem (Sept – Oct)
- Tikimt (Oct – Nov)
- Hidar (Nov – Dec)
- Tahsas (Dec – Jan)
- Tir (Jan – Feb)
- Yekatit (Feb – Mar)
- Megabit (Mar – Apr)
- Miazia (Apr – May)
- Ginbot (May – June)
- Sene (June – July)
- Hamle (July – Aug)
- Nehase (Aug – Sept)
- Pagume (The extra 5 or 6 days in early September)
The Time is Also Different (No, Seriously)
If the year gap wasn't enough to make your head spin, the clock will. If an Ethiopian tells you to meet them at 2 o'clock, do not show up at 2:00 PM. If you do, you'll be six hours late.
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In Ethiopia, the clock starts at dawn, not midnight.
Basically, 6:00 AM (Gregorian) is 0:00 in Ethiopian time. 7:00 AM is 1:00.
It actually makes a weird amount of sense when you think about it. Ethiopia is near the equator, so daylight hours are fairly consistent year-round. Why start the new day in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping? Instead, the day starts when the sun comes up. 12:00 PM (noon) to us is 6:00 to them—the midpoint of the day.
If you're booking a bus in Addis Ababa, always double-check if the time on the ticket is "Habesha time" (local) or "European time." Most official transport for tourists uses the 24-hour international clock, but if you're talking to a local guy on the street, he’s definitely using the 12-hour sun cycle.
Is This a Problem for Modern Life?
You’d think in the age of the internet, having a different year and clock would break everything. Somehow, it doesn't.
Government offices, schools, and local businesses all run on the Ethiopian calendar. If you look at a government memo today, the date at the top will reflect 2018. However, the banking system and Ethiopian Airlines—the pride of the nation—use the Gregorian calendar for international transactions and flight schedules.
There is a sort of "mental toggle" that happens.
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Interestingly, Ethiopia was never colonized. This is a huge point of pride. While many other African nations had the Gregorian calendar forced upon them during colonial rule, Ethiopia maintained its sovereignty and, by extension, its ancient systems of timekeeping. Keeping the calendar isn't just about being different; it’s a living testament to a history that wasn't erased.
Practical Tips for Managing the Year Gap
If you're planning to visit or do business there, don't panic. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Check your electronics.
Most smartphones will automatically update to the local time zone (UTC+3), but they will still show the Gregorian year (2026). You usually have to manually download an Ethiopian calendar app if you want to keep track of local holidays or government deadlines.
2. Clarify "Meeting Times."
Always ask: "Is that 2:00 European or 2:00 Ethiopian?" This simple question will save you hours of sitting alone in a cafe wondering where your friend is.
3. Respect the Holidays.
Because of the calendar shift, Christmas (Genna) isn't on December 25. It’s on January 7. If you show up in December expecting a big party, you’ll find it’s just a normal Tuesday. The biggest celebration is New Year on September 11, which is a fantastic time to be in the country.
4. Expiry Dates.
This is a funny one. If you buy a bottle of soda and the expiry date says 2019, don't throw it out! It’s not from the future; it’s just using the local year. Just subtract 7 or 8 years to find the Gregorian equivalent.
The fact that Ethiopia is in 2018 right now is a reminder that "standard" is often just a matter of perspective. It’s a country that marches to its own beat, quite literally.
To stay on top of this while traveling or working with Ethiopian partners, the best thing you can do is download a date converter app or keep a small "cheat sheet" in your notes. Being aware of which year is ethiopia now isn't just about numbers; it's about showing respect for a culture that has preserved its identity for millennia.
Next time you feel like the world is moving too fast, just remember: in Ethiopia, you’ve still got seven years to catch up.