It's Now 2026, But This Country Is Still in 2018 – How Is That Possible?

If most of the world is currently in 2026, the East African country of Ethiopia is actually still in 2018. This is not a time travel joke, but a reality in Ethiopia. In fact, the country’s recognition of being in 2018 is used in various institutions, such as courts, banks, offices, schools, and in daily administrative matters. As is known, most of the world refers to the Gregorian calendar for dating systems. However, unlike Ethiopia, the people of the country use the Ge’ez calendar, a traditional solar calendar that works based on its own calculations and rhythms. If the change of year in the Gregorian calendar is celebrated every January, it is different in Ethiopia, where they celebrate the new year in September. In other words, when most countries in the world celebrate the new year 2026 on January 1, 2026, Ethiopia will celebrate the new year 2018 in September 2025. This Ge’ez calendar system is quite unique because it is rooted in the ancient Egyptian Coptic calendar, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. There is also a 13th month called Pagume. The duration of this month is quite short, consisting of five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year. The names of the months in the Ge’ez calendar are: Maskerem, Teqemt, Hedar, Tahsas, Ter, Yakatit, Magabit, Miyazya, Genbot, Sane, Hamle, Nahase, and ends with Pagume. In Ethiopia, this calendar calculation is not just a cultural symbol, but is also used in courts, banks, offices, schools, and in daily administrative matters. For the Ethiopian people, this calendar is the official timeline of life.