People and Society of Eritrea

Nationality

Eritrean(s)

Ethnic Groups

Ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%

Population

3,748,901

Population in Major Urban Areas

ASMARA (capital) 712,000

Medical facilities and physicians in Eritrea are limited. In 2010, the Eritrean government closed all private medical clinics and laboratories. Travelers should carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventative medicines because pharmaceuticals may be in short supply. Food and water-borne illnesses are very common among travelers, so drink only bottled or purified water and eat foods that are cooked or peeled. Malaria and dengue fever are serious risks to travelers in the lowlands of Eritrea, particularly during the rainy season (November to February). One of the worst dengue fever outbreaks in recent Eritrean history occurred during the winter of 2009-10 in Massawa. Asmara, because of its altitude, is generally considered free of these mosquito-borne illnesses. Travelers to the lowlands are urged to carry mosquito repellent and mosquito nets, especially during the rainy season.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Eritrea stands at approximately 67 to 68 years for the overall population, with women generally outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy hovers around 69 to 70 years, while male life expectancy is estimated at roughly 65 to 66 years. These figures represent a notable improvement over past decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and disease prevention efforts within the country. Eritrea's life expectancy gains have been shaped by a complex mix of factors. On the positive side, the government has prioritized community-based health programs, vaccination campaigns, and the expansion of rural health facilities, which have contributed to reductions in child mortality and improvements in basic care access. Malaria control initiatives have also played a meaningful role in extending average lifespans, particularly in lowland and coastal regions where the disease has historically been most prevalent. However, significant challenges persist. Eritrea remains one of the lower-income nations in the Horn of Africa, and its healthcare system faces ongoing resource constraints. Access to clean water, adequate nutrition, and specialized medical services varies considerably between urban centers like Asmara and more remote rural communities. Poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to advanced medical technology continue to place downward pressure on potential lifespan gains. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria, remain among the leading health concerns affecting longevity. Maternal and neonatal health also continues to present challenges, with gaps in skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care in rural areas contributing to preventable deaths. Additionally, Eritrea's political isolation and constrained foreign aid relationships have limited the country's capacity to rapidly modernize its health sector. Despite these obstacles, the overall trend in life expectancy has been upward over recent decades. Following independence in 1993, life expectancy was considerably lower, making the current figures a meaningful marker of progress. Continued investment in primary healthcare, nutrition programs, and maternal and child health services will be critical to sustaining and building upon these gains in the years ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Eritrea faces significant challenges in reducing its infant mortality rate, though the country has made measurable progress over recent decades. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births — stands at approximately 34 to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent estimates, reflecting ongoing improvements from much higher rates recorded in earlier years. In the early 1990s, following Eritrea's independence in 1993, infant mortality rates were estimated well above 70 per 1,000 live births. The steady decline since then reflects gains in healthcare access, vaccination coverage, and maternal health programs, though the rate remains considerably higher than the global average of around 27 per 1,000 live births and well above the averages seen in higher-income nations. Several factors continue to drive infant mortality in Eritrea. Limited access to skilled healthcare workers during and after childbirth, particularly in rural and remote areas, contributes significantly to neonatal deaths. Infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrheal illness, and acute respiratory infections remain leading causes of death among infants. Malnutrition is another key risk factor, as undernourished infants face weakened immune systems and reduced ability to survive common childhood illnesses. The government, working in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has prioritized expanded immunization campaigns, improved access to oral rehydration therapy, and community-based health worker training. Eritrea achieved relatively high childhood vaccination coverage rates — particularly for measles and DPT — which has contributed to the observed decline in infant deaths over time. Despite these efforts, persistent barriers including poverty, food insecurity, limited health infrastructure, and geographic isolation in highland and lowland regions continue to make infant survival a critical public health concern. Closing the gap between urban and rural health outcomes remains one of the most pressing challenges for Eritrea's healthcare system as it works toward meeting international child health benchmarks.

Major Infectious Diseases

High

Literacy Definition

NA

Classroom

Ten years after the independence of Eritrea, the government started investing enormously in the educational sector. Recent surveys have concluded that school enrollment in Eritrea has increased to more than 200% as compared to the rate of enrollment 5 years ago. Although many schools in the countryside are below average level, most urban schools are of modern architecture and provide students with reasonable environments for learning. However, most Eritrean schools lack modern scientific laboratories and other experimental tools that are the cornerstone of a successful education process. Moreover, a high percentage of Eritrean schools don’t have adequate computers to serve their students’ needs. A few schools across Eritrea offer their students Internet access on campus. Eritrean students have to wear school uniforms that differ according to the level of education.

Learning

Education in Eritrea is divided into Pre-Primary, Primary, Middle and Secondary sectors. Starting from grade 5, all subjects are studied in the English language. Education programs accept children at the age of five and start with two years of behavioral and social adjustment that are usually preparing for the upcoming years of elementary education. During the 5 year period of elementary education, students study mathematics, history, geography, biography, music, art and physical education. Thereafter, students will attend 2 years of middle school during which they will study the same elementary school subjects, but in more details. Finally, students will have to go secondary school for 4 years. During secondary school, Eritrean students study English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Civics, Biology, History and Geography. Although boys and girls got to schools in Eritrea, boys usually receive more care than girls do. Most girls don’t finish their secondary education as they are usually married before they reach the age of 15.

To School

Some Eritrean children go to their schools on foot, while others ride local buses to their schools. Cycling is a common sport in Eritrea and some students ride their bikes to school. A smaller percentage of Eritrean parents drive their children to school; however, this is uncommon as most Eritrean families can’t afford buying a car.

• Sunni Muslim50.0%
• Orthodox Christian30.0%
• Roman Cahtolic13.0%
• Other7.0%

Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages

Eritrea has no official language. Tigrinya, Arabic and English are all government, working languages. Tigrinya is spoken by highlanders, and is related to Tigre, spoken by people in the western and eastern lowlands. They use an ancient Ge'ez script. Like Arabic, they are both Semitic tongues. Arabic is widely used in commerce.

• Arabic
• Tigrinya

Crime Information

Crime in Asmara has increased due to deteriorating economic conditions along with persistent food, water, and fuel shortages, and rapid price inflation. Travelers should exercise vigilance in their personal security and take safety precautions regarding the valuables they carry and areas they visit. Eritrean authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate crime or prosecute perpetrators. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law. Do not attempt to take advantage of street or black market exchange in foreign currency. It is illegal and there are extremely stiff penalties. Utilize government exchange at the airport, hotel, or bank.

Criminal Penalties

While you are in Eritrea, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems are vastly different than our own. You may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport or identification with you. It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail, as could a traffic accident, whether or not you are at fault. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for example you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods in Eritrea, even if you are not prosecuted in Eritrea. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Eritrea, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Persons violating Eritrea’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Eritrea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Arrest notifications in Eritrea: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Eritrea, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. However, in Eritrea, contrary to the Vienna Convention, such requests are not generally granted.