A recent demographic and health survey by the Ethiopian Statistical Service ESS highlights significant shifts in Ethiopia's health, fertility, education, employment, and socio-economic status. The survey, conducted from August 2024 with support from various international organizations, covered 797 Enumeration Areas across the country. It found that 42 percent of Ethiopians are under 14, and many lack basic services, with only 57 percent having access to clean drinking water and 40 percent to electricity. Access to hygiene, clean fuel, and technology remains even lower. While 62.5 percent own farmland, only 10 percent have refrigerators and 3.8 percent own a vehicle. Sanitation has improved, but over a quarter of Ethiopians still practice open defecation. The national total fertility rate has dramatically fallen from nearly six children per woman a quarter-century ago to under four today, driven by increased availability and acceptance of modern family planning methods. However, a stark urban-rural divide persists, with Addis Ababa's fertility rate below replacement level around two children per woman compared to nearly five in rural areas. Childhood survival indicators show progress, with under-five mortality plummeting from 166 to 51 deaths per 1,000 live births, largely due to decentralized immunization and disease management. Neonatal mortality, however, remains stubbornly high, accounting for nearly half of all under-five deaths, with 68 percent of newborns receiving no p
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
Must ReadThe embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union Delegation to South Sudan issued a joint statement expressing grave concern over amendments to the Peace Agreement adopted by South Sudan's Transitional National Legislative Assembly. The TNLA's July 1 decision approved amendments to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, revising the transition timeline by removing and deferring key pre-election requirements such as a national population census and the completion of a permanent constitution. South Sudan is scheduled to hold its first general elections in December 2026. Observers note that these amendments were adopted without the full consensus of all original signatories to the peace agreement, raising warnings that the move could lead the country back into conflict. The joint statement called on all parties to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Must ReadDesalegn Chane, an opposition leader and outgoing Member of Parliament from the National Movement of Amhara NaMA party, stated that protracted conflicts in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Gambella are impacting public safety and national stability. He also warned that rising tensions with Eritrea could lead to another war. Desalegn attributed these issues, along with the rising cost of living, debt distress, education failures, insecurity, and widening ethnic and religious tensions, to shortcomings of the ruling Prosperity Party. He noted that 92% of students failed national exams, indicating a failure by the Ministry of Education, and accused the Prosperity Party of concealing the extent of Ethiopia’s debts. In response, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his party is working to address inherited problems and has established a National Dialogue to resolve them.
Must ReadThe African Union and Russia have agreed to establish annual high-level political consultations, aiming for deeper collaboration on security, trade, and global governance. This commitment follows discussions at the AU Commission headquarters between AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. They reviewed progress since 2019 and began drafting a new three-year action plan for 2027–2029, to be adopted at the third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow this October. Both parties emphasized a partnership based on sovereign equality and mutual respect, addressing crises in regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. Russia supported the principle of "African solutions to African problems" and UN-financed frameworks for AU-led peace missions. Russia also reaffirmed its support for Africa's bid for permanent representation on the UN Security Council, and both sides called for reforms to the international financial system to alleviate debt burdens for African nations. They pledged uninterrupted supplies of Russian food and fertilizers and agreed to collaborate with the Africa CDC on Ebola outbreaks. The discussions also highlighted mutual support for Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The next high-level consultation is planned for 2027.