When GER Growth Misleads: Denominator Effects and Spatial Inequality in Ethiopia’s ECCE Expansion (2022/23–2024/25)
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This comparative analysis examines the trends, progress, and persistent disparities in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Ethiopia using data from three consecutive Education Statistics Annual Abstracts (2022/23 − 2024/25). The study analyzes key indicators including Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), Net Enrollment Rate (NER), Gender Parity Index (GPI), and regional variations across eleven regions and two city administrations. Findings reveal that while national GER increased from 50.0% to 59.8%, this was partly driven by a reduction in the reported school-age population rather than enrollment growth alone. Significant regional disparities persist, with an eight-fold difference between the highest- and lowest-performing regions. Gender parity has stagnated (GPI 0.95-0.96), and pastoralist regions continue to lag substantially behind urban centers. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address regional inequities and improve age-appropriate enrollment.
