Ethiopia, with 80% of the population living in rural areas, is one of the least urbanized countries in Africa. Even though it has the lowest level of income inequality even in the world, the population is unanimously impoverished, due both to rapid population growth and a low starting base. The worst drought within 30 years in 2015-16 created food insecurity for millions of Ethiopians.

Healthcare has improved remarkably. The expansion of the number of facilities and the amount of community outreach has improved geographic access to care, especially for poor and rural populations. On the other hand, Ethiopia’s education system has significant shortcomings. The public school system, in general, has deteriorated from lack of adequate funding, teaching staff, facilities, and space (or overcrowding), which all undermine education quality. In 2020, Ethiopia saw its highest-ever annual dropout rate of 17.5%. With 84.2% of primary schools located in rural areas, the education of Ethiopia’s youth is of particular concern to IIRR. Additionally, Ethiopia suffers from some of the lowest gender equality performance indicators in sub-Saharan Africa. Unequal opportunities, harmful traditional practices, and violence continue to threaten women and girls’ interests.