Status of Implementation for Early Childhood Development Interventions in Ethiopia Findings of the Situational Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Ethiopia has implemented a massive and comprehensive economic reform over the last few decades and is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Based on the United Nations’ (UN) estimate, the total population of Ethiopia in 2020 is expected to exceed 110 million. Children under five (U5) years of age constitute 14% while those under 14 years account for 47% of the total population. Nationally, the infant and child mortality has been significantly declining in the country since the last two decades due to remarkable investment by the health sector particularly on maternal, newborn and child health. Despite the achievement in economic growth and child survival in the country, there are still about 13 million children living under poor living conditions and 2 million of them are living under extreme poverty which impedes their overall growth and full developmental potential. In addition, the magnitude of stunting, underweight, and wasting are high and stand at 38%, 24%, and 10% respectively. These burdens cannot be explained solely due to poor health or undernutrition of young children, and might further be compounded by the lack of sensitive and responsive child care, feeding, stimulation, and safety/security, all of which result in an estimated 59% of children U5 years of age being at the risk of suboptimal development