Ethiopia
Last updated May 3, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Critically unprepared
Ethiopia shows critically low readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (13th percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 13th
- Global rank
- #156
- Regional rank
- #27
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Ethiopia trails global peers in Innovation (34, 28th percentile), Governance (32, 24th percentile), Infrastructure (26, 11th percentile), GEFRI Composite (25, 13th percentile), and Human Capital (24, 7th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.
Regionally, Human Capital lags peers the most, signalling where investment could have the highest impact.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Falls below many peers at the 13th percentile.
- Places 156th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 27th within Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Scores range from Innovation (34.2) to Access & Parity (10.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Trails regional peers most clearly in Human Capital.
Regional peers: Sub-Saharan Africa
Composite GEFRI Score