Urbanization and Informal Settlements in Eritrea: A Mixed Methods Inquiry into Social Welfare Provision

Urbanization in Eritrea has led to significant growth in informal settlements, challenging traditional social welfare provision models. A mixed-methods design incorporating both quantitative survey data (n=500) on service utilization patterns and qualitative thematic analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews to explore perceptions and experiences related to social welfare provision in urban areas, including informal settlements. The quantitative survey revealed that approximately 60% of respondents from informal settlements reported difficulties accessing essential services such as healthcare and education compared to formal settlement residents. Qualitative analysis highlighted themes around inadequate infrastructure and bureaucratic inefficiencies as major barriers to service delivery in these areas. Findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to improve social welfare provision specifically for informal settlement populations, emphasising the importance of community engagement and policy alignment with local realities. The study recommends the development and implementation of tailored social welfare programmes that prioritise infrastructure improvements and community-based service delivery models in urbanized areas of Eritrea. Urbanization, Informal Settlements, Social Welfare Provision, Mixed Methods Study