Eritrea

Relatively, Eritrea is a poor country with an estimated annual GNP per capita of USD 200. The Country’s key socio-economic and demographic indicators depict the prevalence of low standards of living and income, and inadequate basic social services in health, education, and social protection.

In Eritrea, the poor constitute about two-thirds of the population of the Country and slightly more than one-third of them are extreme poor i.e., below the poverty line. The incidence of poverty is slightly higher among women. About 65 % of the poor live in rural areas and the incidence of poverty in Asmara is slightly more than 50%. The highest incidence of poverty in the Country prevails in small towns with 81% of the population below the poverty line.
The Government of Eritrea, with the assistance of UNDP and Capacity 21, has prepared a draft Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP) and a Food Security Strategy (FSS).

The principal long-term objectives of Eritrea’s poverty reduction strategy is to achieve rapid, balanced and sustainable economic growth with social equity, that translates into improved standard of life for all citizens of the Country.