Emphasis is made on the rural part of the country in the belief that the knowledge ofrninfant mortality differentials will contribute to the amelioration of the welfare of the largestrnproportion of the population of the country. Applying bivariate as well as multivariaternmethods of data analysis the study examines infant mortality among different socio-economic, demographic and environmental categories in the study population.rnThe risk of infant death is shown to vary by ethnicity, religion, educational status ,rnwork status and marital status of mothers. Greater infant survival among Amhara ethnicrngroup over that of Oromo and others , Christians over Muslims , currently married over otherrnmarriage categories and working over non-working mothers is observed. Father's education and occupation are among the most important determinants.rnRegional variation is observed and lowland areas show higher infant mortality risk thanrnhighland areas. Among environmental variables source of water is found to be the mainrnfactor. With regard to demographic factors , the study replicates findings documented elsernwhere except that higher order births (5 and above) did not emerge as having higher risk ofrndying than intermediate order births. Preceding birth interval is the most significant determinant followed by birth orderrnand survival of preceding child. Short preceding birth interval (less than 2 years) is foundrnto be harmful to the survival of infants. However, lower risk of death is observed when thernpreceding sibling is alive. The study also revealed that the effect of short birth intervalrnpersists whether preceding child is alive or dead. Results of the study reveal that amelioration of the overall socio-economic conditionrnof the rural Ethiopia population is needed and particularly, improvement in the healthrnservices availability, introduction of health education for the youth (especially female).rnIntroduction and/or strengthening of family planning programmes and services as well asrnimprovement of the educational opportunity of the population and provision of safe water willrngo along way in reducing infant death in Ethiopia