Ethiopia - Rural Life

In the 1970's, Ethiopia decided to instate a society based on the principles of socialism. But, they were not successful, which is clear from the large discrepancies that exist between rural and urban life. In rural parts of Ethiopia, only 11% of people have access to clean water. This number is frightening low especially compared to the 88% that receive clean water in urban cities. Also, 19% of urban people have improved sanitation, while only 4% of rural people have this. On top of this, of the 23% of people that live under $1, 65% are from rural areas.

These numbers show that the socialist government, which was overthrown in 1990, did not live up to the demands of socialism. They did not make sure that equal services were provided to all people, even in basic services like access to clean water and sanitary living conditions. There is a large difference between rural and urban life, and while urban conditions may not be the best, it is definitely better than conditions in rural areas.

But, the greatest problem that Ethiopia faces currently is not this divide, it is lack of health care. The ratio of deaths under the age of five is actually not too different between rural and urban areas. There are 1.3 rural deaths for every 1 urban death. In both rural and urban areas, the amount children dying, often of preventable diseases, is astounding (up to 20%).