Extreme weather impacts on the socio-economic conditions of rural communities in Ethiopia: practical implications and recommendations for resilience and sustainability

Climate-induced weather extremes are affecting the socio-economic development of nations. This review examines the impacts of extreme weather events on the socio-economic activities, highlighting the urgent need for region-specific, tailored strategies to enhance resilience, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study used a systematic literature review (29 articles) selected following the six-step PSASAR (protocol, search, appraisal, synthesis, analysis, and reporting) framework. Findings show that climate shocks in Ethiopia have sharply reduced land productivity by around 24% and led to crop and livestock losses of up to 93 and 91%, respectively. Food insecurity affects 62% of households, rising to 67% in highland areas, and wheat yields have fallen by 12%. Livestock systems face feed shortages exceeding 60 and a 19.8% decline in cattle numbers. Economic consequences include a 10% drop in labor demand and a 20% reduction in wages. Female-headed households are especially vulnerable, being 40% more likely to skip meals during droughts compared to 25% among male-headed households. Extreme weather also disrupts supply chains and reduces agricultural production, particularly for smallholder farmers. Gender disparities, in access to resources and decision-making, limit women's adaptive capacity, while regional differences, limited awareness of climate-health risks, and inadequate healthcare access increase vulnerabilities. This study highlights the need for integrated, localized strategies to build resilience, such as improved vulnerability mapping, targeted interventions, income diversification, and better disaster response and early warning systems. Climate policies should also prioritize women’s participation and access to resources, and invest in resilient infrastructure to reduce health risks and support sustainable development amid climate change.