Which Country Follows a Calendar With 13 Months?

Which country follows a calendar with 13 months? Know why Ethiopia uses a 13-month calendar, the name of its extra month, the number of days and how its calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar.

Oct 10, 2026, 12:52 IST

Ethiopia is known for following a calendar with 13 months. The Ethiopian calendar has 12 months of 30 days each and a short 13th month called Pagume. Keep reading to know in detail.

How many months does Ethiopia calendar has?

The first 12 months have 30 days each. The 13th month has five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian New Year usually begins on 11 September, or 12 September in certain years.

Which Country Has 13 Months in a Year?

Ethiopia is the answer. The country follows the Ethiopian calendar also known as the Ge’ez calendar. The first 12 months contain 30 days each. The final month is called Pagume. Pagume has five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year.

What Is the Name of the 13th Month in Ethiopia?

The 13th month of the Ethiopian calendar is called Pagume. It comes after the 12th month, Nehase. It has five days in a regular year. It has six days in a leap year.

What Are the 13 Months of the Ethiopian Calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, with the last month being much shorter than the others.

No. Month Name Number of Days
1 Meskerem 30
2 Tikimt 30
3 Hidar 30
4 Tahsas 30
5 Tir 30
6 Yekatit 30
7 Megabit 30
8 Miazia 30
9 Ginbot 30
10 Sene 30
11 Hamle 30
12 Nehasé 30
13 Pagume 5 or 6 (in leap years)

Why Does Ethiopia Have 13 Months?

The Ethiopian calendar follows a different system for dividing the year into months. It divides the first 360 days into 12 equal months. Each of these months has exactly 30 days. The remaining five days are placed in Pagume.

How Is the Ethiopian Calendar Different From the Gregorian Calendar?

The Gregorian calendar is used in most countries for everyday dates and international activities. Ethiopia uses its own calendar system for official civil purposes.

Feature Ethiopian Calendar Gregorian Calendar
Number of months 13 12
Regular month length 30 days for the first 12 months Usually 30 or 31 days
Final month Pagume December is the 12th month
Days in a regular year 365 365
Days in a leap year 366 366
New Year Usually 11 September 1 January

When Is Ethiopian New Year Celebrated?

Ethiopian New Year is called Enkutatash. It usually falls on 11 September in the Gregorian calendar. In certain years, it falls on 12 September. It marks the beginning of a new year in Ethiopia.

Jasreet Kaur

Executive - Editorial

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