Though per capita GDP is on the rise7.2 percent in 2014it is still one of the poorest countries in the world. ranking 173 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index. Although Ethiopia is outperforming many subSaharan countries in poverty reduction. widespread malnutrition continues to haunt the nation. Estimates suggest that the country loses around 16.5 percent of its GDP each year to the longterm effects of child malnutrition. Dependency on agriculturecoffee. in particularleaves the large rural population vulnerable to droughts. natural disasters. and other economic shocks. Recent periods of rapid inflationary pressures and large refugee inflows from Eritrea and South Sudan further aggravate these trends. This has led to food prices rising 100 percent in 2011. Ethiopia still relies heavily on aid to achieve its development goals.