Ethiopia

While over half the population (55.4%) has access to electricity, the vast majority of the population (nearly 77%) lives in rural areas. This large disparity suggests that electrification efforts are heavily concentrated in urban centers, leaving a significant portion of the rural population reliant on traditional energy sources, hindering industrialization and educational opportunities outside major cities.

Life expectancy in Ethiopia has reached a respectable 67.32 years, suggesting significant improvements in overall health infrastructure and living conditions. However, the infant mortality rate remains high at 35.700 per 1,000 live births, indicating persistent challenges in maternal and neonatal healthcare access, sanitation, and early childhood nutrition.

The high fertility rate (3.99 children per woman) indicates strong population momentum, meaning the population will continue to grow rapidly for decades. Combined with the absence of a reported median age, this suggests a very young population structure, placing immense pressure on future job creation, education, and health services.

Ethiopia faces severe inflationary pressures, with an inflation rate exceeding 30%. This is unusual given the relatively low official unemployment rate (3.402%). Typically, high inflation combined with low official unemployment suggests strong demand, but in developing economies, it often points toward supply chain issues, currency devaluation, or political instability driving up prices, overwhelming any positive labor market effects.