Eritrea has not acceded to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Access to documentation in the country is limited with complex procedures and few legal safeguards, making it difficult for individuals to prove their nationality heightening the risk of statelessness. 

Eritrea’s economy is predominantly agrarian, however prolonged periods of severe drought have adversely affected Eritrea's agricultural economy. Refugees in urban areas often engage in casual and seasonal labor in agriculture, which is low-paid and limited in scope. The private business sector continues to be severely restricted by import-export regulations and a lack of hard currency. Many refugees face challenges to access public services with limited opportunities for self-reliance. Some mandate refugees are regarded as migrants, which has led to restrictions on their legal rights, including the ability to access residency and work permits. 

 The absence of a national asylum framework, combined with economic constraints, has made it difficult for refugees to achieve self-reliance or integration into the local community.  

Despite the difficulties faced by refugees, some positive developments have occurred, including Eritrea's rejoining of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in 2023, signaling potential improvements in regional integration and trade.